A small tremor rattled southern New Hampshire early this morning, with the quake centered near Boscawen between Concord and Franklin. US Geological Survey data show a weak magnitude 1.5 earthquake at a depth of about 5 kilometers, reported around 2:03 am. A number of residents said they felt or heard the shake, but the quake was too small to cause damage.
Experts note that earthquakes of this magnitude are rarely felt, and only when quakes rise above magnitude 2.0 do more people notice them. While larger events can cause damage, significant harm is unlikely until a quake reaches roughly magnitude 5.5 or higher. The latest tremor appears to be an isolated event, not linked to yesterday’s earthquake in Maine or the ongoing swarm in South Carolina. It sits north of a May event near Greenland and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
New England has a long seismic history dating back to colonial times. Moderately damaging quakes have occurred every few decades, with smaller shakes felt roughly twice a year. Historical events include a 1638 quake (about magnitude 6.5) in the region that is now Vermont/New Hampshire, a 1755 offshore event near Cape Ann (magnitude about 5.8) that caused damage along the Boston waterfront, and a 1940 quake in central New Hampshire (magnitude around 5.6) that produced notable damage. In January, a stronger 3.8 magnitude quake struck along the southeast coast of Maine, strong enough to trigger a tsunami warning center update, though there was no tsunami threat.
What to know and do if you felt shaking:
– If you felt this tremor, you can report it to USGS’s Did You Feel It program to help scientists map the event.
– During shaking, drop, cover, and hold on until the ground stops moving.
– No tsunami risk is indicated for this event, but residents along coastal areas should follow official warnings if future quakes occur.
Takeaway: today’s 1.5 magnitude quake near Boscawen is a routine reminder that small earthquakes are a regular part of New England’s seismic history. They’re common, typically cause no damage, and don’t imply an imminent, larger event. If you’re curious about future quakes, monitoring USGS updates and local authorities will provide the latest information as it becomes available.
Summary: A minor, isolated tremor near Boscawen was felt by some residents but caused no damage, underscoring New England’s long history of infrequent, small earthquakes and the general safety that comes with understanding the region’s seismic activity.