MORRISTOWN, N.J., Feb. 16 (UPI) -- New Jersey residents shaken by two earthquakes in two weeks should be prepared for more temblors, a seismologist says.
Startled residents in and around Morristown, N.J., felt a 2.4 magnitude earthquake at 5:22 p.m. Saturday, only 11 days after a 3.0 earthquake was centered in Denville, N.J. Won-Young Kim, a seismologist with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, N.Y., told Gannett New Jersey Monday that more can be expected.
"I wouldn't be surprised if there is a 2.5 earthquake tomorrow," Kim said. "We don't know exactly when or where but small earthquakes tend to occur close together."
Northern New Jersey is subject to east-west geological compressional force caused by the Midatlantic Ridge pressing against the North American Plate.
"It is not that strong of a force, just big enough to cause small ruptures," Kim told Gannett. "The Earth is in the continuous process of mountain-building."
