On Friday, September 22nd, local residents, visitors, and park staff awoke to an unusual event in Acadia National Park when a 3.4-magnitude earthquake shook the ground at 6:39 a.m. According to the Weston Observatory at Boston College, the epicenter (44.35N, 68.19W) was located in the park, just off the Precipice Trail parking area on the Park Loop Road. Although minor, the earthquake was nonetheless felt by many in Ellsworth, Maine, 22 miles away. Other reports came in from as far away as Addison (29 miles) and Islesboro (34 miles). Park staff living near the epicenter felt several precursors to the earthquake throughout the night and reported that objects in their houses rattled and shook with each event. The rumbles of aftershocks were heard during the day on Friday; at least 16 possible aftershocks have been recorded since the primary event. No damage has been reported. According to the Maine Geological Survey, earthquakes in Maine are relatively rare, with just 507 earthquakes occurring in the state from 1747 until 1992. During that time, only one other earthquake originated from Mount Desert Island. It’s no wonder that many people thought Friday’s booming and shaking was a furnace malfunctioning, a large truck passing by, or even an explosion. Instead, they had experienced the first recorded earthquake with its epicenter in Acadia National Park.
