A 3.8-magnitude earthquake centered near York Harbor, Maine, rattled homes and surprised residents across New England on Monday morning, with tremors felt hundreds of miles away from the epicenter.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake occurred at approximately 10:22 a.m., originating about six miles southeast of York Harbor at a depth of eight miles. The seismic event was initially reported as a 4.1 magnitude before being revised downward.

John Ebel, a senior scientist with the Weston Observatory at Boston College, characterized the event as 'a once-in-every-five-years type of earthquake.' The tremors were reported across all New England states, reaching as far south as Pennsylvania.

While earthquakes are less common in the eastern United States compared to the western region, their effects typically spread over a broader area. According to the USGS, earthquakes east of the Rockies can be felt across areas up to ten times larger than similar magnitude events on the west coast.

Local officials conducted immediate assessments of infrastructure and buildings. In Kennebunk, Maine, school superintendent Terri Cooper reported that operations staff inspected all district buildings and found no damage. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency also received reports of shaking but noted no immediate damage.

Many residents initially mistook the earthquake for a car accident or explosion, sharing their experiences on social media. The USGS website notes that while small earthquakes are relatively rare in New England, with typically two occurring annually, the region has experienced seismic activity 'since colonial times.'