What causes earthquakes? The science behind why seismic events like today's New Jersey shakeup happen
CBSN
A strong earthquake centered outside of New York City rattled much of the East Coast on Friday morning.
The earthquake — which the U.S. Geological Survey said was magnitude 4.7 or 4.8 — occurred at about 10:20 a.m. The quake was centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, which is about 40 miles west of New York City, according to the USGS. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage, but many who felt the quake took to social media to describe the unusual experience.
Here's what to know about earthquake activity on the East Coast, and what can cause such temblors.

The peace and tranquility of Muir Woods, just north of San Francisco – home to 500+ acres of old-growth redwoods – make it just about the last place you'd expect to find a fight brewing. "The fact that they're taking down whole groups of signs about climate change and our nation's history is disappointing, and embarrassing," said retired U.S. Park Ranger Lucy Scott In:

We share our planet with maybe 10 million species of plants, animals, birds, fish, fungi and bugs. And to help identify them, millions of people are using a free phone app. "Currently we have about six million people using the platform every month," said Scott Loarie, the executive director of iNaturalist, a nonprofit.

At ski resorts across the West this winter, viral images showed chairlifts idling over brown terrain in places normally renowned for their frosty appeal. Iconic mountain towns like Aspen, Colorado, and Park City, Utah, were seen with shockingly bare slopes, as the region endured a historic snow drought that experts warn could bring water shortages and wildfires in the months ahead. In:










