It was an unusual Monday morning for two very different parts of the country. First, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake shook central Idaho, catching residents by surprise. Then, less than an hour later, a 3.8-magnitude quake rattled coastal Maine, leaving New Englanders puzzled by the rare tremor. While neither caused damage or injuries, both left residents asking, “What just happened?”
Idaho’s Quake Shakes Things Up
At 9:32 a.m. local time, the first quake struck near Clayton, Idaho. Measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale, the tremor was felt in nearby towns like Boise, Emmett, and Hailey. “I was sitting on the couch drinking coffee when the whole house gave a little shake,” said a Boise resident. “It was over before I realized what was happening, but it woke me up!” The quake originated about 7 miles below the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. While no damage has been reported, emergency officials are monitoring the area for possible aftershocks.
Maine Felt the Earth Move
Just 50 minutes later, at 10:22 a.m. Eastern Time, the ground shook again—this time near York Harbor, Maine. The magnitude 3.8 quake, while smaller, was enough to be felt across parts of New England. Residents in Boston and Portland described it as a brief but noticeable rumble. “I felt the floor move under my feet,” said a resident in York. “It was over so fast, but it’s not something you expect around here.” Unlike Idaho, earthquakes are a rare event in Maine, where seismic activity is infrequent and usually minor.
Are These Quakes Connected?
While the timing of the two quakes might seem suspicious, experts say they’re purely coincidental. “They’re on completely separate fault lines, thousands of miles apart,” explained a geologist from the USGS. “It’s a case of two unrelated seismic events happening close together in time, which does happen from time to time.”
What’s Next?
For now, no aftershocks have been reported in either Idaho or Maine. However, residents in both areas are advised to remain alert. Aftershocks, while often smaller and less intense, can still happen days after the initial quake. If you felt the shaking, it’s a good reminder to double-check your home’s preparedness for earthquakes. Even in places where quakes are uncommon, it never hurts to secure furniture or have an emergency kit ready.
Social Media Reactions
It didn’t take long for people to take to social media to share their reactions. In Idaho, some shrugged it off as just another day in a tectonically active region, while in Maine, the response was one of shock and humor.
“New England’s idea of an earthquake is usually a plow hitting a pothole,” one Twitter user joked. “So yeah, this was a big deal for us.”
