"Assessing the Risk: New York City's Vulnerability to Major Earthquakes"

After a magnitude 4.8 earthquake shook the New York City area, experts caution that while severe earthquakes are rare, the risk in the area is greater than previously believed due to regular smaller earthquakes. It is impossible to predict when a major earthquake might occur, but if one were to hit closer to the city, it could result in significant damage and injuries. City officials are monitoring for aftershocks and advising residents to be prepared, while seismologists emphasize the unpredictability of such events.