A small earthquake rattled residents of eastern Connecticut on Thursday morning.
Residents of Plainfield reported hearing loud booms on Thursday morning. Police said the National Weather Service and the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security confirmed a 2.0 to 2.2 magnitude earthquake centered 1.8 miles south of Danielson, in the northern part of Plainfield.
The U.S. Geological Survey later listed the quake as 2.3 magnitude, according to its website.
Seismographs at the Weston Observatory at Boston College registered the earthquake just before 9:30 a.m. and Dr. John Ebel, of Boston College, said a 2.0 earthquake would cause a loud boom, followed by some shaking, but no damage.
Plainfield police said they received more than 50 calls to 911 reporting a loud explosion, followed by shaking, which match Ebel's description of a 2.0 earthquake.
While this is not a common occurence in Connecticut, it is not unheard of. Ebel said there are, on average, six earthquakes per year in New England.
Before confirming that the calls were reports of an earthquake, police said they, as well as the fire marshal’s office, ruled out any active blasting in the area, incidents on Interstate 395 or with the Providence and Worcester Railroad.
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Weston Observatory also had two reports of earthquakes in the area of Danielson on Nov. 9.
