Earthquake off Maine coast rattles New England

Denise Chow

An earthquake centered off the coast of Maine rattled the region Monday, causing light to moderate shaking in the state, as well as in parts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake as a 3.8-magnitude temblor that struck shortly before 10:30 a.m. ET. The epicenter was off the coast of York Harbor, Maine, roughly 45 miles southwest of Portland.

The National Weather Service has not issued any tsunami watches, warnings or advisories in the aftermath, and there have been no reports of fatalities or significant damage so far.

The event was the strongest earthquake measured in the northeastern United States since April, when a 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Lebanon, New Jersey. That shaking was the most intense in the Northeast in more than a decade, according to USGS records.

Earthquakes in the Northeast are relatively rare, which means even minor shaking can sometimes cause damage because the region is not as prepared for quakes as the country’s seismic hot spots.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com