Earthquake rattles Oxford Hills

Photo:

Northeast Seismicity 1975-2011 – map created by Weston Observatory, Boston College

REGION —  An earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale that hit southern Maine on Tuesday evening rattled buildings across Oxford Hills.

The epicenter of the quake was in Hollis Center, four miles northeast of Waterboro. It hit around 7:12 p.m. on Tuesday and could be felt as far away as Connecticut, according to reports.

The force of the quake was enough to stall a Buckfield Selectboard meeting on Tuesday.

Town Manager Dana Lee's report to the selectmen was interrupted when the building shook for no more than 30 seconds at around 7:22 p.m. 

Most people living in New England probably think of California or other western states when they hear the word "earthquake." 

According to a 2004 report by Alan F. Kafka, Ph.D., of Boston College, earthquakes also occur on a regular basis in New England –  but usually don't cause damage.

A National Seismic Hazard Map developed by the USGS in 1996 indicates that earthquakes in New England are known to be low-hazard, while the high-hazard earthquakes are further west. 

On October 2, 1994 an earthquake rumbled in central Massachusetts. Quakes in 1940 in Ossippee, NH and in 1755, off the coast Cape Ann, MA, both caused damage to such a degree that the tops of chimneys were thrown down, Kafka reported. 

Earthquake hazard maps generally show that in New England, there is about a one in 10 chance – in any given 50-year period – that an earthquake serious enough to cause damage will strike, according to Kafka's report. 

According to reports, no injuries or damage were reported from Tuesday's quake.