Magnitude 2.2 earthquake felt in parts of Massachusetts

Parts of Massachusetts experienced an earthquake just before 1:00 p.m. this afternoon.

The local Public Safety Communications Center in Gardner, Massachusetts has reported that it, as well as local Communications Centers in surrounding towns, have received citizen calls reporting shaking and associated loud noises. MEMA has been in contact with local officials and the communities have not received reports of explosions, fires or significant property damage.

The USGS has issued the following preliminary report of a magnitude 2.2 earthquake at 12:51 PM in the Templeton/Gardner area. Ordinarily, a magnitude 2.0 earthquake will cause minor shaking but will not cause significant structural damage.

Preliminary Report

Magnitude 2.2

Date-Time

· 21 Dec 2018 17:51:26 UTC

· 21 Dec 2018 12:51:26 near epicenter

· 21 Dec 2018 12:51:26 standard time in your time zone

Location: 42.567N 72.040W

Depth: 12 km

Distances

· 0.5 km (0.3 mi) NNW of East Templeton, Massachusetts

· 3.5 km (2.2 mi) WSW of Gardner, Massachusetts

· 19.6 km (12.1 mi) W of Fitchburg, Massachusetts

· 23.5 km (14.5 mi) WNW of Leominster, Massachusetts

· 82.2 km (50.9 mi) SSW of Concord, New Hampshire