Earthquakes Canada has reported a 3.9-magnitude earthquake located north of Shawville, Quebec, during early Tuesday afternoon. Residents in Ottawa, Maniwaki, and Pembroke noted feeling the quake around 12:36 p.m., with most reports indicating mild tremors. According to Earthquakes Canada, earthquakes of this magnitude are commonly felt in the area but seldom result in any significant damage.
Throughout the government’s 127-year earthquake records, no local earthquake has exceeded a magnitude of 5.6, which occurred in September 1944. In recent years, earthquakes in 2010 and 2013 registered around a magnitude of 5. Major earthquakes are typically considered to be magnitude 7 and above.
Briony Baxter, residing in Pembroke, Ontario, described feeling the tremor while having lunch at her home. She observed her house shaking, causing her dog to jump off the couch and her cat to become agitated. Baxter mentioned hearing noises from the basement, which added to her panic during the event.
Although no structural damage occurred in her home, Baxter was certain it was an earthquake. She noted the distinction from usual military helicopter activity in her area, as the earthquake originated within a known seismic zone in western Quebec. The recent earthquake location coincided with where a 5.2-magnitude quake was recorded in 2013, as stated by seismologist Michal Koraj. Koraj emphasized that typically damage begins to occur around a magnitude of 5.