Small Earthquakes In Connecticut Felt In Massachusetts
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBS/AP) — Scientists on Monday recorded four small earthquakes within 20 minutes in the same area of eastern Connecticut, including a 3.1-magnitude tremor felt more than 60 miles away in Massachusetts. They followed two smaller quakes in the same area last week.
The Weston Observatory at Boston College reports the quakes were recorded Monday morning near Danielson and northern Plainfield.
They included a 1.1-magnitude quake just after 6:30 a.m. that was followed by tremors of magnitudes 0.9, 3.1 and 2.0.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the largest tremor centered in northern Plainfield was felt in Rhode Island and as far away as Massachusetts in New Bedford and Framingham.
There were reports of shaking, but there was no major damage or injuries.
Dr. John Ebel of the Weston Observatory says an earthquake of that magnitude in New England is not entirely rare.
"It's obviously not an everyday occurrence, but I would say it's a once-a-year occurrence," he told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Monday.
"All earthquakes ultimately are cracks forming in rocks and they're either old faults that are having new movement or they're new faults that are forming and we can't tell which, at least from the data at this point," Dr. Ebel told WBZ.
"These earthquakes are reminders that we do have a history of occasional strong and potentially damaging earthquakes in the New England region. Most of our earthquakes are like the one this morning, small, pretty good rumble (and) shake, but no damage. However, it does remind us that there is a potential for a stronger, damaging earthquake."
Dr. Ebel talks to WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens
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