News Release

Earthquake shakes New Hampshire

Peer-Reviewed Publication

U.S. Geological Survey

Note to editors: As more information is received and the data are further analyzed, we may issue updates or clarifications on this event.

A very minor earthquake, preliminary magnitude 2.9 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, occurred today in southeastern New Hampshire at 9:50 am Eastern Standard Time. The epicenter was near Raymond, NH. The earthquake was felt in Raymond. The USGS has received no reports of damage.

The most recent felt earthquake recorded in this area was a magnitude 2.4 event on Jan. 21, 2000. It was felt at Derry, Fremont, and Raymond. About 35 earthquakes with epicenters in New Hampshire have been recorded by local networks in the past decade.

The largest recorded earthquakes centered in New Hampshire occurred on Dec. 20 and 24, 1940. These two damaging earthquakes had magnitudes of 5.5 and were centered near Lake Ossipee. They toppled chimneys, and cracked walls in two nearby cities and were felt throughout the northeastern U.S.

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