No, we’re not talking about the bass at a Billy Joel concert or the time Metallica melted faces at Nassau Coliseum. We’re talking real, ground-shaking, chimney-toppling earthquakes. Long Island may not sit on a major fault line, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t felt the occasional seismic surprise.
While most quakes here are small enough to blame on a passing truck or a kid upstairs dropping a textbook, some have been powerful enough to rattle nerves across the region. And yes, the U.S. Geological Survey actually wants to hear from you if your walls start shaking—just head to their “Did You Feel It?” page and report your tremor.
Here’s a look back at some of the most notable quakes that have shaken Long Island, one way or another.
A Timeline of Quakes That Rocked Long Island
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1737
The earliest recorded quake to affect Long Island. The epicenter was in New York City, where chimneys collapsed. It was strong enough to be felt all the way in Boston and Philadelphia. -
August 10, 1884
This one came from near Far Rockaway or Coney Island and clocked in at an estimated magnitude of 5.5. It was felt throughout Long Island. No seismographs back then, just a lot of startled residents. -
March 4, 1887
According to the New York Times, this quake was felt as far east as Babylon. Proof that even back then, Long Island couldn’t catch a break. -
July 20, 1937
Just before midnight on a Sunday, residents of Queens and Nassau felt a sudden jolt. At first, they blamed fireworks or a gas explosion. Turns out it was a 3.5 magnitude earthquake. -
October 19, 1985
As if Hurricane Gloria wasn’t enough, Long Island got an extra shake less than a month later. Around 6 a.m., a 30-second quake hit the area. -
March 10, 1992
A small 2.8 magnitude tremor was recorded southeast of Southampton. It didn’t cause damage, but it added one more entry to the island’s shaky history. -
October 27, 2001
Just weeks after 9/11, an earthquake gave New Yorkers another reason to look around nervously. It was felt from the city all the way out to eastern Long Island. -
November 30, 2010
A 3.9 magnitude quake struck about 80 miles off the coast of Southampton, four miles deep in the Atlantic Ocean. Close enough to feel it, far enough not to panic. -
August 23, 2011
A 5.8 magnitude quake in Virginia was felt across much of the East Coast, including Long Island. It hit just five days before Hurricane Irene barreled in. -
April 9, 2019
Another tremor off the coast of Southampton was clocked at magnitude 3.0. It hit around 7 a.m.—an unexpected wake-up call for early risers.
The Bottom Line
Long Island isn’t known for earthquakes, but they do happen. Whether it’s a gentle rumble or a surprising shake, the ground beneath our feet is anything but boring. So the next time your house creaks or your coffee ripples, you might want to check in with the USGS—just in case.
