3.8-Magnitude Earthquake Field in Boston and Maine

A light but rare 3.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast Monday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey, sending tremors across New England.

The epicenter of the earthquake was approx. 10 miles east of Portsmouth, NH, the survey says. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

According to the survey Self-report toolpeople reported feeling shaking as far south as Providence, RI, about 100 miles southwest of the epicenter, and as far north as Augusta, Maine, about 90 miles away.

Maine Emergency Management Agency said on social media That the earthquake took place at 10:22 a.m. As seismologists review available data, they may revise the earthquake’s reported magnitude.

Morning shake caught many New Englanders away.

Joe Watts, CEO of Star Islanda summer community and conference center just off the coast of New Hampshire, said he thought the boiler in his Portsmouth, NH, office had exploded at first. A friend on the phone with him at the quake described it as a truck crashing into a building.

The tremors lasted about 10 seconds, he said.

“We’re probably wimps compared to people in the bay,” he said. But for this quiet corner of New England, “it was a big deal,” he said.

Jane Sweeney, an activities assistant at a senior living community in Rye, NH, seven miles south of Portsmouth, said she had just finished setting up an art class around 6 p.m. 10.30, when the floor and walls of the building began to rock so noticeably, she thought the oil burner might have exploded in the basement.

“It was pretty scary – it really shook me up – and I ran to check on the residents,” she said. “Everyone came out of their rooms. It is not something we are used to experiencing here. “

Jenna Russell contributed with reporting.