A rare earthquake hits tri-state area. Can climate change make quakes more common? Experts weigh in
NBC New YorkApr 05
Earthquake Shakes Northeast US
The Facts
An earthquake of at least 4.8 magnitude hit Lebanon, N.J., Friday morning local time, about 45 miles (72 km) west of New York City and 50 miles (80 km) north of Philadelphia. It was felt in surrounding areas by more than 42M people.
The earthquake's tremors were reportedly felt as far north as Maine and as far south as Delaware.
The Spin
Narrative A
This news should prompt a discussion about the climate-related causes of earthquakes. Seismic shifts in the Earth's geology aren't typically caused by climate change, but a rise in impacts, such as flooding and sea level rise, can weigh the ground and allow quakes to occur more often, even in places where they rarely happen. Climate change touches every aspect of our planet and requires holistic solutions.
Narrative B
Climate alarmists, who try to turn every natural phenomenon into a cause for concern, are overreacting again. These fearmongers have done everything in their power to riddle society with climate anxiety, but their tactics are in bad faith. Geologic events like this one do happen occasionally in the Northeast US and there are practical steps that can be taken to increase earthquake preparedness without plunging, once again, into climate fantasies.
Nerd narrative
There's a 25% chance that there will be an 8.0 magnitude or greater earthquake in the Pacific Northwest before Jan. 1, 2034, according to the Metaculus prediction community.