New York’s largest recorded earthquake struck on September 4, 1944, near Massena in St. Lawrence County. The tremor registered a magnitude of 5.8 and was felt as far away as Canada, Maryland, Indiana, and Maine. It caused $2 million in damage in Massena and in Cornwall, Ontario, and remains the strongest quake in state history.
Small earthquake hits near Sleepy Hollow, NY
A much smaller earthquake rattled Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County Tuesday morning. The magnitude-2.3 quake occurred at approximately 9:17 a.m. on March 10, 2026, at a depth of roughly 7.4 kilometers. Sleepy Hollow is about 30 miles north of New York City.
Earthquakes in New York: What causes them?
While rare, earthquakes do occur in New York. They happen along tectonic plate boundaries and ancient faults, including the Ramapo Fault, which stretches from southeastern New York into Pennsylvania. The state’s rolling terrain, such as the Appalachian Mountains, reflects past seismic activity.
Recent earthquakes in New York
Smaller quakes have been recorded across the state in 2026:
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What is the largest earthquake ever recorded in NY?
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
