Small Earthquake Rattles Upstate New York — Ancient Appalachian Faults Briefly Stir — Loud Booms and Rumblings

Late Monday night, a small but noticeable M2.6 earthquake rattled the Lake Champlain Valley, centered just outside Chazy, New York, roughly 25 miles south of Montréal. Despite its modest size, residents in Plattsburgh, NY and Alburgh, VT reported a brief jolt lasting only a few seconds. The shaking, earthquake booms and rattlings woke many residents up.

Why a Quake Here? Intraplate Shaking on Old Faults

Unlike California, the Northeast sits far from a major plate boundary. Quakes here are intraplate—they occur within the North American Plate when ancient faults in the northern Appalachians sporadically release accumulated stress. Events like this are uncommon but not unheard of in upstate New York and Vermont.

What People Felt

• Quick, sharp jolt or a single thump
• Light rattling of windows and dishes
• Very loud boom followed by rumbling
• Loud bang, light shaking
• Over 100 “Did You Feel It?” submissions to USGS (light intensity)

Any Damage?

No injuries or damage were reported. As a precaution, local emergency managers suggest homeowners walk the perimeter to look for hairline cracks in foundations, chimneys, or outbuildings—especially in older masonry.

What To Do After a Minor Quake

1. Check for gas smells, leaning chimneys, and cracked masonry.
2. Secure tall furniture and water heaters if not already anchored.
3. Review your household emergency kit and contacts.

FAQs

Are intraplate quakes a warning of something bigger?

Not necessarily. Most are isolated stress releases on old faults. Clusters can occur, but large events are rare in this region.

Why did I hear a boom?

Shallow quakes can produce an acoustic shock—a “boom” as the rupture couples into the air, especially over hard bedrock and in cold night air.

How deep was this quake?

About 5 miles (≈8 km)—shallow for the Northeast, which helps explain the crisp jolt.

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