Local residents and visitors to Acadia National Park felt the now-familiar rumble of an earthquake again on Monday, October 2nd, as a 3.8-magnitude tremor shook Mount Desert Island at 8:07 p.m. This stronger earthquake followed a week of small aftershocks that have occurred since the initial 3.4-magnitude tremor struck on Friday, September 22nd. While the epicenter of the first earthquake was located in the park near the Precipice Trail parking area, this one was located a short distance away in the Atlantic Ocean, just off Great Head. Although still considered minor, this earthquake (initially reported as a magnitude 4.2 and downgraded to 3.9, then 3.8) was felt across Maine and more than 300 miles away in New Hampshire. For those nearest the earthquake, a loud boom announced the arrival of the earthquake, which was followed by shaking that lasted from 10 to 30 seconds. No park buildings were damaged, but the newest tremor was strong enough to cause rock falls in several areas of the park. The Park Loop Road was closed on Tuesday morning to allow park staff to remove several large boulders from the road. The Precipice Trail and East Face Trail on Champlain Mountain sustained substantial damage from rock slides and have been closed. An initial assessment suggests that neither of these trails will be reopened until next spring. Boulders have fallen on several additional trails, but at this time all other trails remain open. For details about the latest earthquake, including epicenter maps and intensity statistics, visit the related U.S. Geological Survey website by clicking on “More Information” below.
