Residents of New York City were left shaken on Tuesday morning as a series of small explosions rattled neighborhoods from Astoria to Roosevelt Island. Firefighters and Con Edison crews were dispatched to investigate the source of the explosions, even popping manhole covers in their search, but were unable to find any evidence of an explosion. The mysterious events left residents puzzled and theories running wild.

Families anxiously awaited word on what had caused the explosions, with some fearing the worst. "I got really scared. I thought it was in the building and something blew up," said Roosevelt Island resident Maria Grant. Others, like Astoria resident Rene Vasicek, initially thought their pets were to blame. "He was in another room. I thought maybe he was under the bed making the bed shake, but then I realized this was more serious," Vasicek said.

As the investigation continued, it was revealed that the cause of the explosions may have been an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 1.7 magnitude earthquake in Astoria at around 5:45 a.m., just minutes before 911 calls flooded dispatchers with reports of a boom and buildings rocking. Residents recounted their experiences during the earthquake, with some describing being blown out of their beds. "It blew me out of my bed," said Maria Grant. "My daughter called me. She thought her husband fell out of bed because it was so strong," added Georgette Sinclair of Roosevelt Island.

Seismologists explained that while low-intensity micro-earthquakes are common, they are rarely felt. However, the shallow depth of the earthquake in Astoria, approximately 5 kilometers underground, allowed the seismic waves to be efficiently carried by the strong rocks in the area, resulting in the vibrations being felt by residents in the eastern United States. "The rocks around here are strong and carry the earthquake waves efficiently, so small earthquakes can be felt in the eastern United States that wouldn't be felt in California," explained John Armbruster of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

Interestingly, this was not the first time such an event occurred in New York City. Armbruster noted that a similar 2.6-magnitude earthquake took place in 2001, leading to first responders searching for an explosion or plane crash before realizing it was an earthquake. In both instances, no injuries or damage were reported.

The 1.7 magnitude earthquake originated in Astoria, Queens, and caused buildings on Roosevelt Island to shake and lose power. The FDNY responded to reports of a "building shaking" and an “explosion” on the island, but no explosion was confirmed, and there were no injuries or damage reported from the earthquake. New York City Mayor Eric Adams' administration attributed the explosion reports to the quake. Two buildings near the Roosevelt Island Bridge and Tram experienced power outages, including elevator failures.

While earthquakes on the West Coast often make headlines for their strength and damage, Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, emphasized that earthquakes can occur anywhere and are equally frightening due to their unpredictable nature. Earthquake rates in the northeastern United States are significantly lower than in California, with the region having older and denser rocks that have been exposed to extreme pressures and temperatures over millions of years.

The incident serves as a reminder that even areas not typically associated with earthquakes are not immune to their occurrence. As New Yorkers recover from the shock of the event, the focus now shifts to ensuring the safety and preparedness of the city in the face of future seismic activity.