Earthquake in western Quebec rattles people in Ottawa, Montreal | CBC News

Earthquake in western Quebec rattles people in Ottawa, Montreal | CBC News


A small quake north of Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning rattled people hundreds of kilometres away but appears to have caused no damage.

According to Earthquakes Canada, the 4.1-magnitude quake rumbled through the region at around 8 a.m.

While its epicentre was roughly 180 kilometres north of the nation’s capital, people in Ottawa told the agency they felt the ground shake — as did others in places like Pembroke, Brockville and Montreal.

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, Earthquakes Canada had received nearly 2,000 reports about the quake.

“There are no reports of damage, and none would be expected,” the agency said.

A yellow map with a red star near a lake.
The red star marks the epicentre of the 4.1-magintude quake, which was felt far away in places like Ottawa and Montreal. (Earthquakes Canada)

It’s not uncommon for quakes to occur in western Quebec as the region sits near a hotspot on the earth’s mantle, said Alison Bird, an earthquake seismologist with Natural Resources Canada.

“People in that region are living in earthquake country, and I really encourage them to be prepared,” she said. “Have an earthquake kit, have a plan and practice what to do [if one hits].”

That includes getting low to the ground, seeking shelter under a table or door frame and holding on firmly to something, Bird said.


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