**New York City Shaken by 5.8 Magnitude Earthquake** **August 23, 2021** Yesterday afternoon, millions of people in the eastern United States felt shaking from a magnitude 5.8 earthquake near Mineral, Virginia. The quake struck at 1:51 CST and was felt as far away as New York City and Philadelphia. While earthquakes are uncommon in the New York City area, they do occur and are generally different in frequency and nature than those experienced on the West Coast. The earthquake is the second significant temblor to hit the East Coast in less than a month. On July 10, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake centered near Dover, Delaware, was felt in nearby states, including New York. The New York City area is subject to earthquakes, but they are typically smaller in magnitude and less frequent than those that occur in the western United States. However, the possibility of a larger earthquake occurring in the region cannot be ruled out. Scientists are still studying the cause of the recent earthquakes, but they have ruled out any connection to fracking or other human activities. **Safety Precautions** During an earthquake, it is important to take safety precautions, such as: * Drop to the ground, cover your head and neck with your arms, and hold on until the shaking stops. * Stay away from windows, outside walls, and heavy objects that could fall. * If you are in a car, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Stay in your car and wait for the shaking to stop. * After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage. If you see any downed power lines or damaged buildings, report them to the authorities.
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