2.3 Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Sleepy Hollow and Westchester County
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Residents in the Hudson Valley and parts of New York City were startled on Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026, when a minor earthquake struck near the historic village of Sleepy Hollow.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the 2.3 magnitude tremor occurred at 10:17 a.m. EDT. Centered just west of Sleepy Hollow and about 25 miles north of Manhattan, the quake originated at a depth of approximately 4.5 miles (7.4 kilometers). While seismic events of this size are rarely capable of causing structural damage, the shallow depth ensured that the vibration was felt clearly across a wide suburban radius.
“Like a Huge Bang”: Witness Accounts
Within minutes of the shaking, the USGS “Did You Feel It?” portal was flooded with over 1,000 reports. Residents from White Plains, Pleasantville, and even parts of the Bronx and western Connecticut described a brief but intense jolt.
- Steve Frasene, who was attending a physical therapy session in Pleasantville, recalled: “We had this big bang… I looked behind to see if there was a tractor-trailer or something there because the whole building shook.”
- Sarika Singh of Sleepy Hollow initially mistook the tremor for a passing truck: “It was only a few seconds, but after it really hit me, I was like, ‘Oh my God, an earthquake just happened.'”
- Linda Barksdale described the sensation as high-frequency vibration: “I felt like somebody was drilling in my house.”
Official Response and Safety Checks
New York City and Westchester County emergency officials acted quickly to assess the situation. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins confirmed that there were no reports of major infrastructure damage or injuries.
Precautionary surveys were conducted at the former Indian Point nuclear power plant in Buchanan. Crews reported no impacts on the decommissioned site, and operations continued as normal. Similarly, New York City Emergency Management officials stated that no impacts were expected within the five boroughs, though brief shaking was noted by residents in high-rise buildings.
Geological Context: The Ramapo Fault Line
This morning’s tremor is attributed to the Ramapo Fault Zone, a system of fractures that runs through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. While the East Coast is not a major seismic hotspot, the “hard” bedrock of the region allows seismic waves to travel much further than they would on the West Coast.
| Seismic Comparison | Sleepy Hollow (Mar 2026) | Tewksbury, NJ (Apr 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Magnitude | 2.3 | 4.8 |
| Intensity | Weak / Noticed by many | Strong / Felt across East Coast |
| Damage | None | Minor / Widespread |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Was anyone injured in the Sleepy Hollow earthquake? No. Local authorities and the USGS have received zero reports of injuries or significant property damage following the 2.3 magnitude event.
2. Why did it feel so strong if it was only a 2.3 magnitude? The earthquake was shallow (4.5 miles deep), and the dense bedrock of the Northeast conducts energy efficiently. To those directly above the epicenter, it often sounds like a loud “thump” or explosion.
3. Are aftershocks expected? While aftershocks are rare for quakes under 3.0, geologists monitor the area for several days. Residents are encouraged to report any further shaking to the USGS.
4. Is this related to the 4.8 magnitude earthquake in 2024? Both quakes occurred within the same general tectonic region of the Northeast, but they originated from different fault segments. Today’s event was significantly less powerful.
Reference Links
- Official USGS Event Page: M 2.3 – 0 km W of Sleepy Hollow, NY
- Local News Report: 2.3 magnitude earthquake rattles Westchester County – CBS New York
- Safety & Infrastructure Updates: Westchester County Executive Statement on Earthquake
