Earthquakes Canada has reported a 3.9-magnitude earthquake north of Shawville, Que., occurring early Tuesday afternoon. Residents in Ottawa, Maniwaki, and Pembroke felt the quake around 12:36 p.m., with most describing it as weak shaking. While earthquakes of this size are commonly felt in the region, they typically do not cause significant damage.
According to historical government records, no local earthquake in the last 127 years has exceeded a magnitude of 5.6, recorded back in September 1944. Previous notable quakes, such as those in 2010 and 2013, registered around a magnitude of 5. Major earthquakes are classified as magnitude 7 and above.
Briony Baxter, a resident of Pembroke, Ont., recounted feeling her house shake during the earthquake, causing her pets to react anxiously. Although nothing fell off her walls, Baxter was certain it was an earthquake, noting the distinct difference from military helicopter activity in her area. The seismic event occurred in a familiar location where a magnitude 5.2 quake was reported in 2013, as explained by seismologist Michal Koraj, who mentioned that damage typically begins around a magnitude of 5.