April 20, 2002 Earthquake in Eastern New York

The Lamont-Doherty Earthquake Observatory of Columbia University reports that an earthquake occurred at 6:50:48 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, April 20, 2002 in Au Sable Forks, New York. It was felt widely across western New England and southwestern Maine.

The following parameters have been calculated for the earthquake (this is a preliminary determination):

Preliminary magnitude	5.3 ML, Richter
Preliminary location	44 deg. 30.8 min. North latitude, 73 deg. 41.9 min. West longitude
Depth	11 kilometers
This places the epicenter about 18 miles southwest of Plattsburgh, New York.

Further Information:

The earthquake caused minor damage to roads and buildings near the epicenter, to maximum intensity VII. Photos and other technical information are posted at the Lamont-Doherty web site. Other information is posted by the National Earthquake Information Center.

The Canadian Seismic Network Hourly plots for 10:00 to 12:00 (UT) show the earthquake was felt strongly at all seismic stations across the region. Smaller aftershocks were recorded at 7:05 and 7:45 a.m.

Many people across the northeast region reported effects from the earthquake to the U. S. Geological Survey in Pasadena. The resulting intensity map shows that areas near the epicenter in northeastern New York experienced moderate to strong shaking (Intensity V-VII), and that a very wide area, extending into Maine, felt weak to light shaking (Intensity II-IV). The Maine Geological Survey also received reports from people in many towns who felt the earthquake.

Last updated on October 6, 2005