M1.8 Earthquake 5 km W of Gladstone, New Jersey — May 19, 2026
2026-05-19 17:30:41 UTC (2026-05-19) · approx. 12:30 PM UTC-5 local
Felt by 105 people across surrounding communities.
On May 19, 2026 at 17:30 UTC, a magnitude 1.8 shallow crustal earthquake struck 5 km W of Gladstone, New Jersey, at a depth of 5.0 km and coordinates 40.7212°, -74.7255°. This earthquake was detected by 13 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 77, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 1.8 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 7.6 kg of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 11 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in New Jersey, a region characterized by the Ramapo Fault system, an ancient structure occasionally reactivated by regional tectonic stresses. The nearest mapped fault system is the Ramapo Fault. View all earthquakes in New Jersey.
Learn more: Ramapo Fault · Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 105 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
-74.7255°E
Technical Information
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 1.8 earthquake near Gladstone, New Jersey?
The magnitude 1.8 earthquake that struck 5 km W of Gladstone, New Jersey on May 19, 2026 at 17:30 UTC had a depth of 5.0 km. For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 40.7212°, -74.7255°, which is 5 km W of Gladstone, New Jersey. View all earthquakes in New Jersey.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 1.8 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has New Jersey had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in New Jersey was the M4.7 Tewksbury earthquake of April 5, 2024. Today's magnitude 1.8 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000sysv). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, May 19, 2026). M1.8 Earthquake 5 km W of Gladstone, New Jersey — May 19, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000sysv/