Did You Feel It? Earthquake Shakes New Hampshire Overnight!
A small earthquake rattled central New Hampshire overnight, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor, measuring a magnitude of 1.5, was centered approximately two miles east of Concord and occurred just after 2 a.m. EDT on August 27, 2025. The earthquake's depth was around 6.6 miles. Fortunately, no damage or injuries have been reported.
Details of the Earthquake
The USGS confirmed the earthquake's location near Boscawen, situated between Concord and Franklin. While some residents reported feeling or hearing the quake, its low magnitude meant it was unlikely to cause any significant impact. Earthquakes of this size are generally considered too weak to pose a threat.
According to the USGS, earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or less are rarely felt. It's only when they exceed 2.0 that they become more noticeable. Damage typically becomes a concern with magnitude 3.0 or greater events, and significant damage and casualties are usually associated with seismic events of magnitude 5.5 or higher.
New England Seismic Activity
This recent earthquake is considered an isolated incident and is not related to other recent seismic activity, such as yesterday's earthquake in Maine or the ongoing swarm in South Carolina. The New England region has a history of experiencing small earthquakes, with moderately damaging ones occurring every few decades. Smaller earthquakes are typically felt roughly twice a year.
The largest known New England earthquakes occurred in 1638 (magnitude 6.5) in Vermont or New Hampshire, and in 1755 (magnitude 5.8) offshore from Cape Ann northeast of Boston. The most recent New England earthquake to cause moderate damage occurred in 1940 (magnitude 5.6) in central New Hampshire.
Other News from New Hampshire
Aside from the earthquake, news from New Hampshire also includes updates on school policies regarding cellphone use. Several school districts, including Winooski, are implementing 'bell-to-bell' bans on cellphones in response to Act 72. This law mandates Vermont schools to establish policies preventing students from using cellphones and other personal devices during school hours.
Additionally, rescue teams recently assisted a hiker on Mt. Washington who was experiencing a medical issue. The hiker was suffering from various symptoms that left him immobile, requiring assistance from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers and Mt. Washington State Park staff.