Small Earthquake Rattles Southern New Hampshire Near Massachusetts Border

MILFORD, N.H. — A minor earthquake struck early Friday morning in southern New Hampshire, briefly waking residents but causing no reported damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the tremor as a magnitude 2.1 at approximately 1:45 a.m. EST on January 2, 2026. The epicenter was located about one mile north-northwest of Milford, a town in Hillsborough County situated between Nashua and Manchester, close to the Massachusetts state line.

The quake occurred at a shallow depth of roughly 5.4 miles (8.7 kilometers), which contributed to it being felt by some in the surrounding area. More than 120 people submitted reports to the USGS "Did You Feel It?" system, describing weak shaking, rumbling noises, or brief jolts that startled them from sleep. Reports extended into northern Massachusetts towns such as Townsend and Ashburnham, as well as parts of southern New Hampshire.

Local authorities, including Milford police, confirmed no damage was reported. Social media posts from residents echoed similar experiences, with some likening the sound to a loud boom or shockwave.

Small earthquakes are not uncommon in New England, though significant ones are rare. New Hampshire typically experiences one or two minor quakes per year. The region last felt a more noticeable event in January 2025, when a magnitude 3.8 quake off the coast of Maine was widely sensed across multiple states.

Experts note that while this event was harmless, it serves as a reminder of the area's occasional seismic activity, rooted in ancient geological faults. No aftershocks have been reported as of Friday morning. 17GEN4.com