Courtesy of USGSA magnitude 3.8 earthquake hit parts of New England on the morning of January 27. Its effects were felt from Boston to parts of Maine, and was centered off the coast of Maine in York Harbor. Fortunately, damage is created only when the magnitude is 5.0 or greater despite residents reporting having felt the effects of the earthquake. Although not much significant damage was caused, this event is still a source of concern as New England is not known for earthquakes. Earthquakes are often induced when tectonic plates move suddenly along a fault line, causing a release in stored energy through seismic waves. An earthquake of this magnitude often happens every 4 to 5 years in this region. Unlike the western part of America, where active plate boundaries reside, New England’s earthquakes are caused by movements from within the continental crust. This serves as a reminder that while earthquakes are not common in New England, they are not unheard of.