2.2 magnitude earthquake rattles N.J., N.Y. residents

A minor earthquake early Friday rattled parts of New York and northern New Jersey, where some residents reported they were awakened by the rumbling.

The 2.2 magnitude quake, which occurred about 1:50 a.m., was centered about 10 miles from New York City in Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake could also be felt in parts of Connecticut, according to news reports.

There were no initial reports of injuries or damages to structures in the New York metropolitan area.

Some residents took to social media early Friday to describe the tremor. One man tweeted the noise sounded like an explosion.

While earthquakes are rare, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in 2011 caused millions in structural damage to buildings in Washington, D.C., Maryland and in Virginia, where it was centered. Experts say earthquakes below 2.0 on the Richter scale are rarely felt.

The New York earthquake occurred about the same time as a significantly stronger 7.7 magnitude earthquake resulted in a small tsunami in the Pacific Ocean, according to the USGS.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.