Henderson, New York – A minor earthquake struck beneath Lake Ontario just before sunrise Saturday, producing a brief tremor near the U.S.-Canada border that may have been lightly felt in parts of northern New York.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the magnitude 2.8 earthquake occurred at 9:08 a.m. UTC (5:08 a.m. EDT) about 27 kilometers west-southwest of Henderson, with a depth of roughly 5 kilometers. The event was centered offshore, limiting the potential for damage.
Communities along the eastern Lake Ontario shoreline, including Watertown and areas of Jefferson County, may have experienced slight shaking. At this magnitude, impacts are typically minimal, often described as a quick vibration or rumble, with little to no structural effect.
Earthquakes of this size are not uncommon in the Great Lakes region, where minor seismic activity occasionally occurs along ancient fault lines beneath the lakebed. No injuries or damage have been reported, and infrastructure across northern New York remains unaffected.
Officials do not expect aftershocks to pose any concern, but residents who felt the tremor are encouraged to report their experience to the USGS to help refine seismic data.
No alerts or advisories are in effect following the early morning quake.
