SHAWVILLE, QC — A 3.9-magnitude earthquake jolted western Quebec and the Ottawa area early Tuesday afternoon. The seismic event, with its epicentre north of Shawville, Quebec, occurred around 12:30 p.m.
The earthquake, registering at 3.9 on the magnitude scale, was felt across a wide swathe of eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including Ottawa and Gatineau. Reports flooded in from communities as distant as Montreal, with over 2,500 individuals logging their experiences with Earthquakes Canada. While the tremor was noticeable enough to rattle homes and reportedly dislodge pictures from walls, no significant damage or injuries have been reported.
The quake's depth was recorded at 13 kilometres. Earthquakes Canada, a government agency, noted that seismic events of this size are not uncommon in the region, though they rarely result in serious consequences. The agency also stated that quakes of this magnitude are "often felt" but "rarely cause damage."
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This event follows a 2.8-magnitude earthquake in western Quebec on January 28, situated across the Ottawa River from Hawkesbury, Ontario. Another 3.0-magnitude quake was detected northwest of Maniwaki, Quebec.
The widespread reports, even from locations over 200 kilometres from the epicentre, highlight the reach of such tremors. Some social media accounts suggested the shaking was even felt as far as Toronto, though official reports are concentrated closer to the epicentre. The intensity experienced by individuals varied, with many reporting a mild shaking on a scale of 1 to 10.
