While earthquakes are relatively uncommon in the Northeast, the events highlight the region's ongoing seismic activity.

Multiple earthquakes shook Southern California hours after a tremor was felt on the East Coast on Aug. 5, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey. One quake hit Rialto, California, in the evening hours on Aug. 5, followed by two more overnight in the San Bernardino area, according to USGS.

A second minor earthquake has rattled the New York metropolitan area within several days. The 2.7 magnitude quake struck Tuesday afternoon near Hillsdale, New Jersey, northwest of the Bronx.