Lancaster County had two back-to-back earthquakes in 1984

Many area residents reported feeling the 4.8 earthquake that hit New Jersey on Friday morning, April 5. 

In 1984, however, two back-to-back earthquakes hit too close for comfort for many Lancaster Countians. The first occurred just before midnight on Wednesday, April 18, followed four days later, on Easter Sunday, by a second, more intense, quake.

April 19, 1984, Lancaster New Era

According to the Lancaster New Era, the first earthquake had a magnitude of between 2.7 and 2.8 on the Richter Scale, with the epicenter in the Susquehanna River hills near Marticville. (A New Era graphic states that it registered 3.0.)

Area residents reported hearing a loud bang followed by about five seconds of tremors. The noise was so intense that residents as far away as Wrightsville were awakened by it.

April 23, 1984, Lancaster New Era

The second earthquake, which occurred on Easter Sunday, April 22, measured 4.1 on the Richter Scale and was felt in at least seven states.

The epicenter of the quake was thought to be along the Martic Fault, at a weak section between Martic Forge and Marticville. Although causing only minor damage, the quake was the most powerful felt in the county in two decades.

In the previous 30 years, numerous similar earthquakes were felt in the eastern United States, including Lancaster County. The strongest quake recorded in the county was in 1954, measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale.