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‘The strongest earthquake I have felt in Boston’: Readers share their earthquake experiences
Boston.com readers from across the region – ranging as far as Rhode Island to New Hampshire to Western Massachusetts – said they felt the 3.8 earthquake.
A magnitude 3.8 earthquake shook parts of New England early Monday morning, striking approximately 7 miles southeast of York Harbor, Maine. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake hit at a depth of roughly 8 miles, rattling the region from Boston to Portland, Maine.
Although earthquakes are rare in this area, the tremor serves as a reminder that seismic activity is not entirely uncommon along the Atlantic Seaboard. The USGS Earthquakes account on X (formerly Twitter) noted, “Earthquakes are unusual but not unheard of along the Atlantic Seaboard.”
Boston.com readers across the region reported feeling the shake, but there have been no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.
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Below, readers from across the New England region share their earthquake experiences and what it felt like.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Did you feel the earthquake on Jan. 27, 2025?
Maine
“It felt like a truck had hit the house or something had exploded – it seemed to be two different waves or rumbles. The dog ran to the window, looking scared. We look out over a reservation of water and had a brief thought that it was something in the water.” – Cat B., York, Maine
“It felt like our house was lifted up and then put down again. I experienced an earthquake in San Francisco years ago and this felt stronger! All is okay though.” – Stephanie G., York, Maine
“It felt like the brewery next door drove the fork lift into the wall.” – Tommy T., Portland, Maine
“I thought it was a large truck passing, but the strong shaking continued for 5-7 seconds, and the rumbling continued after for 5 seconds or so.” – Tom, Topsham, Maine
“The entire house was shaking and there was a loud rumble. I had to jump off my work meeting as I thought something really bad was happening. It was like nothing I have ever experienced before. I thought perhaps the furnace exploded or a large airliner crashed right nearby.” – Mike C., Kittery, Maine
“The whole house shook. Lights started swaying, and sounded like a massive jet was flying low overhead, or a massive construction vehicle was barreling up the street. Woke up my 4 month old who had just fallen asleep!” – Chad M., Old Orchard Beach, Maine
“Shook the bedside nightstands in my home in inland Maine. It was like a huge truck rolled by outside.” – Tom F., Mount Vernon, Maine
New Hampshire
“I heard rumbling and the house started shaking. Initially I thought it was snow shifting/falling on the roof as that can be loud. I quickly realized this was much more intense. It lasted several seconds.” – Matt F., Madbury, New Hampshire
“Just a heavy shaking, more than if a truck drove by the house. I lived in LA for 8 years and felt many similar quakes out there.” – David, Salem, New Hampshire
“I felt my house vibrate and shake a decent amount.” – Sarina, Troy, New Hampshire
“I was working at the kitchen table, and there was a loud boom that sounded like a dump truck, and some shaking.” – Heather, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Massachusetts
“I absolutely felt it! I am in the South End in a huge brick building (almost the length of a city block) that used to be a warehouse. I was working at our dining table and felt a solid side-to-side shimmy for a good 15 seconds. I assumed a large truck went by (we live next to 93) or that a neighbor upstairs or downstairs was moving. Definitely the strongest earthquake I have felt in Boston.” – Michael R., South End
“The whole house was shaking! At first I thought a tractor trailer had gone over a bump in front of our house that shook it, then I thought a solar panel had crashed off the roof. But the shaking continued so I knew something was wrong – but an earthquake didn’t come to mind until I got a text! That was scary and no thank you, I didn’t like that at all!” – Missy P., Newburyport
“Western Mass., on the Connecticut border. Rattled the house, rather loud, for maybe 20 seconds.” – Annie, Wilbraham
“In the office, an old brownstone in Brookline that is currently being renovated. I texted my boss “wow this phase of construction feels like an actual earthquake.” I guess it was!” – Jess, Quincy (works in Brookline)
“I thought my house was hit by a construction vehicle! It lasted 5-7 seconds and started as a rumble and quickly became intense. There was nothing subtle about it!” – Vinny, Salisbury
“I thought my husband fell down the stairs, but he didn’t. LOL.” – Michelle D., Saugus
“I felt my apartment shake a little, I thought it might have been just an aggressive garbage collection truck out front (Monday is garbage day).” – Rudy, Davis Square
“I was in the kitchen and suddenly it sounded like someone was upstairs moving large furniture around! Even my dog who was lying on the couch got up quickly and looked up toward the ceiling! I could also feel it, the same rumbling you might feel when a fighter jet buzzes the tower (Top Gun style!)” – Charlotte, South Boston
“Dogs felt it first and started barking. The whole house shook for about 5 seconds. Everything was rattling.” – Sharon, Bolton
“I thought it was high winds but then when I looked out the window, there was no wind. It was not until I received this email from Boston.com that it was an earthquake. Thanks for notifying us.” – Carl, Raynham
“I was home sick and the house shook so hard I thought my father-in-law had backed into the garage.” – Bobby S., Reading
“It felt like a jet airplane taking off for about 10 seconds” – Tyler C., Newburyport
“My refrigerator was shaking and I couldn’t figure out why so I just hugged it.” – James K., Waltham
Rhode Island
“The top floor (3rd) was shaking in my office building in Warwick, Rhode Island.” – Shelley, Warwick, Rhode Island
“Rolling shake for 10-15 seconds.” – Megan, Cumberland, Rhode Island
“I’m in Rumford, RI and felt it. It was minor here, noticing it just for a few seconds. But my desk and walls at home definitely shook.” – Mike G., Rumford/East Providence, Rhode Island
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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