The earthquake occurred at 10:22 a.m. and was centered in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of York Harbor, Maine. The USGS reported that the quake had a depth of eight miles and was felt as far as Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Despite the widespread shaking, there was no tsunami threat to New England. Terry Eliasen, WBZ-TV's executive weather producer, noted, "We don't sit on any active fault lines, but for our area, it is really significant." Residents across the region reported feeling the ground shake for several seconds, with items rattling and pets reacting to the sudden tremor [1] [2].

Residents in the affected areas shared their experiences of the quake, describing the shaking and initial confusion. Cindy McKenna from York, Maine, said, "I was standing right here, and it was 'boom,' and then instantly, all at once, the whole house was shaking." The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency received reports of shaking but no damage. They reminded residents to "drop, cover and hold on" during an earthquake. Michele Cooke, a professor at UMass Amherst, highlighted that certain groups, such as the deaf and hard of hearing, may take longer to react and emphasized the need for awareness and preparedness [1] [2].

Experts explain that New England's cold and old Earth's crust allows seismic waves to travel long distances, making earthquakes felt over broader areas. Ari Perez, an associate professor of civil engineering, noted that the earthquake's depth was around 16 to 18 miles underground, causing the shaking to spread like ripples in a pond. While the USGS states that aftershocks are possible, they are unlikely to cause significant damage. This event serves as a reminder that the Northeast is not immune to earthquakes, and residents should familiarize themselves with safety measures [3] [4].