Earthquake rumbles through New Jersey early Friday morning

⭕ The earthquake had an epicenter in Tewksbury, according to the USGS

⭕ There have been over 160 aftershocks since the April 4 earthquake

⭕ There are no reports of any damage

A small earthquake that shook New Jersey early Friday morning is another aftershock of the April 4 earthquake.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 2.9 earthquake centered west southwest of Gladstone around 3:50 a.m. Friday. It appears to have an epicenter along Flint Hill Road in Tewksbury.

The USGS received over 800 reports from individuals feeling the earthquake as of 11:30 a.m. Friday. Most of the reports came from Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties but also as far south as Burlington County and as north as Sussex.

There are also reports from Westchester County and Long Island in New York State and in Connecticut.

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Aftershock kits

New Jersey 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow said that normally an earthquake under a magnitude 3.0 is rarely felt by humans and there is very little damage to infrastructure.

There have been 175 aftershocks since the April 4 earthquake that measured a magnitude 4.8.  Before Thursday the most recent was a magnitude 1.6 east southeast of Califon on Tuesday.

“Aftershocks can continue over weeks, months, or years. In general, the larger the mainshock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue,” USGS Steve Sobie told New Jersey 101.5.

"Aftershock kits" have been deployed in and around the April 4 earthquake's epicenter (Hunterdon County) by the U.S. Geological Survey and experts at labs around the country. The temporary seismometers, which are scheduled to be here for months, are taking in any rumblings that may occur in the aftermath of the quake.

Experts will learn more about the frequency of aftershocks, and how energetic they can be. In general, studying aftershocks can provide researchers with vital information about the nature of earthquakes so society can be best prepared for future events.