An earthquake was reported Friday near Paramus in Bergen County, New Jersey. Initial reports from the U.S. Geological Survey indicate a 2.4 magnitude quake hit shortly before 1:30 p.m. The USGS reporting tool shows people experienced "light" to "moderate" effects.

Numerous New Jersey residents took to social media early Friday afternoon, reporting loud booms, rattling and shaking from an earthquake.

The USGS says the earthquake happened around 1:02 p.m in Bergen County, between Paramus and River Edge. Earthquakes are less common on the eastern than on the western edges of the U.S. because the East Coast does not lie on a boundary of tectonic plates.