A rare earthquake has hit New Jersey, rattling buildings in New York City and the surrounding areas, Paralel.Az reports citing BBC.

The United States Geological Survey said the magnitude-4.8 quake's epicentre was near Lebanon, New Jersey.

A UN Security Council meeting on Gaza at its New York headquarters was temporarily paused due to the tremor.

"Is that an earthquake?" said Save the Children representative Janti Soeripto, who was speaking at the time.

The earthquake hit at around 10:20 local time (15:20 GMT). There are no reports of major damage.

Buildings were shaken in the city's Brooklyn and the Bronx districts, rattling cupboard doors and fixtures.