A mild but widely felt earthquake rattled parts of eastern Canada on Tuesday afternoon, drawing thousands of reports from residents across the region.
Epicenter Near Shawville, Quebec
According to Earthquakes Canada, the earthquake measured magnitude 3.9 and struck at approximately 12:36 p.m. local time on April 14.
The epicenter was located near Shawville, Quebec — about 77 kilometers northwest of Ottawa — at a relatively shallow depth of 13 kilometers, which helped the tremors travel across a wider area.
Tremors Felt as Far as Toronto
Despite its moderate strength, the quake was felt across a large portion of eastern Canada. Reports submitted to authorities indicate that shaking reached areas as far as Toronto, highlighting how even smaller seismic events can be widely noticed in stable continental regions.
Thousands of people submitted “felt reports,” with:
- A small number describing very weak shaking (Intensity 1)
- Hundreds experiencing light to moderate shaking (Intensity 2–3)
No injuries or damage have been reported so far.
Why This Earthquake Was Widely Felt
Earthquakes in eastern North America tend to travel farther than those in more tectonically active regions like the west coast. The region’s older, denser crust allows seismic waves to move efficiently over long distances.
This explains why a magnitude 3.9 event could be felt across multiple cities.
A Reminder of the 2010 Ottawa Earthquake
This event brings back memories of the stronger 2010 earthquake near Val-des-Bois, north of Ottawa. That quake reached magnitude 5.0 and lasted around 30 seconds, causing minor damage and widespread concern across the capital region.
