Earthquake hits New York City with tremors felt in Philadelphia and Boston

New York City has been struck by a magnitude 5.5 earthquake that shook buildings and caused tremors as far afield as Philadelphia and Boston.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said a magnitude 5.5 quake hit New York and New Jersey on Friday morning at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles).

The US Geological Survey had initially reported a quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7, centered near Lebanon, New Jersey.

Households in Brooklyn said they heard a booming sound and felt their buildings shaking, while residents reported feeling a rumbling across the Eastern seaboard.

This breaking story is being updated