Magnitude 2.4 earthquake centered in Berks County PA Friday afternoon [Map, Updated]

Susan Miers Smith, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·1 min read

Apr. 19—The United States Geological Survey is reporting a 2.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Lincoln Park section of Spring Township Friday afternoon around 4:30.

People in the vicinity reported feeling the ground shake on social media.

"I was working in my office at home in Wyomissing Hills when I heard what sounded like an explosion, then the whole house shook for a few seconds," said Carole Hullinger, who lives near the epicenter in Spring Township, in an online interview Friday night. "The cats were a little startled!"

She said nothing was moved or damaged that she saw.

Earlier in the day, the USGS recorded a 1.0 earthquake near Califon, New Jersey.

On April 5, Berks County residents reported feeling the 4.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Tewksbury, Hunterdon County, N.J. Earlier this month, Dr. Sarah Tindall, geology professor at Kutztown University, told the Reading Eagle that the region isn't considered prone to seismic activity because it's not close to tectonic plate boundaries.

The last time an earthquake greater than 2.0 was recorded in Berks County was on Nov. 12, 2021, when a 2.1-magnitude temblor hit the Sinking Spring area.

In 1994, a 4.6-magnitude quake hit the Wyomissing Hills area, damaging some buildings.