It was the strongest quake centered in the Garden State in more than 250 years.
The moment of the earthquake was captured on video -- including inside a coffee shop where customers hopped out of their seats and on home security camera where pictures frames could be seen falling from the walls.
One video even showed a family dog sensing the quake before everything began to shake.
Some tourists visiting the Big Apple said that they were unsure what they felt at first, but others who were visiting from California were well-seasoned at experiencing earthquakes.
4.8-magnitude earthwuake rattled nerves, did not cause damage in NYC
Near the epicenter in Lebanon, New Jersey, residents described feeling terrified at times, thinking that they were experiencing the effects of an explosion of some kind.
Lebanon residents describe experiencing earthquake from epicenter
Another man said he thought that there might have been a train crash.
People talk about experiences near the epicenter of earthquake in NJ
On Long Island, there was a whole lotta shakin' going on. Residents felt the tremors and stood up, wondering if they had just experienced an earthquake.
Video from Merrick shows shaking from earthquake
Some schools kept children indoors for a short time out of an abundance of caution.
But for college students at Rutgers, they found the experience something to mark an exciting morning and a tale to share with their friends.
Rutgers students describe feeling earthquake
The ground also shook north of the city in Westchester County.
Westchester County residents react to 4.8-magnitude earthquake
Back in New York City, the Department of Buildings reminded residents, "If you see something, say something." Age-old advice, but important in the case of spotting cracks or crumbling facades.
NYC officials, mayor provide update on earthquake
RELATED: Notable earthquakes felt in the New York City region
Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg will cover the eclipse from Syracuse, New York, while meteorologist Brittany Bell will be reporting from Niagara Falls.
Plus we invite you to watch ABC News and National Geographic's "Eclipse Across America" live on April 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on ABC, ABC News Live, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Disney+ and Hulu.
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