Earthquakes Canada has reported a 3.9-magnitude earthquake occurring north of Shawville, Quebec, on Tuesday afternoon. Residents in areas including Ottawa, Maniwaki, and Pembroke felt the quake around 12:36 p.m., with most reports describing the shaking as mild. According to Earthquakes Canada, earthquakes of this magnitude are typically felt in the region but seldom result in significant damage.
Historical government records show that no local earthquake in the past 127 years has surpassed a magnitude of 5.6, which occurred in September 1944. Earthquakes in 2010 and 2013 were around a magnitude of 5, while major earthquakes are classified as magnitude 7 and above.
One resident, Briony Baxter from Pembroke, Ontario, recounted her experience during the earthquake, noting how her house shook while she was having lunch, causing her pets to react anxiously. Despite the shaking, nothing fell in her home, but Baxter was certain it was an earthquake. The seismic event occurred in a region known for its seismic activity, with a seismologist mentioning that typically, damage begins to occur around a magnitude of 5.
The earthquake took place in an area where a magnitude 5.2 quake was recorded in 2013, as mentioned by seismologist Michal Koraj. The event was distinct from the usual activities in the area, which sometimes include helicopters flying over. The earthquake was part of a larger seismic zone in western Quebec, according to Natural Resources Canada.