Earthquake hits NYC! 4.8 magnitude quake rattles the Big Apple as thousands - as far as Philly and New Jersey - report feeling tremors inside 'shaking buildings'

A 4.8 earthquake shook the densely populated New York City metropolitan area Friday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The agency reported a quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, centered near Lebanon, New Jersey. The Fire Department of New York said there were no initial reports of damage. 

The epicenter of the quake was near Readington in Hunterdon County in NJ, per governor Phil Murphy.

Social media users have shared posts about the earthquake, also felt in New Jersey, Virginia and Philadelphia. 

In midtown Manhattan, the usual cacophony of traffic grew louder as motorists blared their horns on momentarily shuddering streets. 

Some Brooklyn residents heard a booming sound and their building shaking. In an apartment house in Manhattan’s East Village, a resident from more earthquake-prone California calmed nervous neighbors.

This is a developing story. 

Megyn Kelly posted on X that she felt it in Connecticut.

'Did we just have an earthquake? (In CT),' she wrote.

Actress Busy Phillips also posted about feeling the shake in NYC: 'like guys. i think there was an earthquake in nyc.'

Oscar-winner Jessica Chastain wrote: 'Did we just have an earthquake?! NYC'

New York last experienced a significant earthquake in 1884.

New York state governor Kathy Hochul said: 'A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit west of Manhattan and has been felt throughout New York. 

'My team is assessing impacts and any damage that may have occurred, and we will update the public throughout the day.'

A spokesperson for NYC Mayor Eric Adams said: 'In case of an aftershock, drop to the floor, cover your head and neck, and take additional cover under a solid piece of furniture, next to an interior wall, or in a doorway. We will be updating the public very soon with additional updates.'

Experts had previously warned that NYC was long-overdue for a quake. 

The city of 8.5 million people is not thought of as a tremor hot spot, but the five boroughs are riddled with fault lines that could bring dozens of buildings down.