Does the East Coast Earthquake Mean the Big One Is Coming?

The 4.8-magnitude earthquake that rattled the New York City area and frayed residents’ nerves on Friday morning was the biggest temblor to hit the region in nearly 150 years—and experts say it’s well past time to start taking the seismic threat seriously.

According to the New York City Area Consortium for Earthquake Loss Mitigation (NYCEM), “thousands” of earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.0 or greater have occurred in New York State over the past few centuries and there is a 20 to 40 percent chance of a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurring within the next 50 years, and “[c]atastrophic events with Magnitudes 6 and larger are possibilities.”

“Even a moderate event (Magnitude 6) could result in an estimated 1,110-1,200 deaths, as well as igniting up to 900 fires simultaneously in the NY-NJ-CT region,” a 2003 NYCEM study warned. “Considering the large population (18.5 million) and the region’s building inventory (predominantly unreinforced masonry), it is clear that even a moderate earthquake would have critical consequences on public safety and the economy of this area.”

Read more at The Daily Beast.