1.5 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Central Massachusetts

A small 1.5-magnitude earthquake struck Lunenburg, Massachusetts, just after 1 p.m. on Monday, with residents in surrounding areas reporting minor shaking and some hearing a boom. According to John Ebel from the Weston Observatory, earthquakes of this magnitude are typically not felt by most people, but social media posts indicated that some individuals in nearby towns did experience the tremor. Massachusetts is situated in a moderate earthquake zone, meaning significant damage is rare, with notable effects usually occurring at magnitudes of 4 or 5. This event follows a 1.3-magnitude quake recorded earlier the same day in North Stamford, Connecticut. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency emphasizes the importance of preparedness for seismic events, despite their infrequency in the region. Overall, such minor quakes are common in New England, with larger events occurring approximately once every 20 years.