A mild 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Maniwaki area in western Quebec early Sunday morning at 8:02 a.m., sending tremors felt across a wide swath from Pembroke to Montreal, as far south as Brockville. Thankfully, no damage has been reported following the quake, according to Earthquakes Canada.

The epicenter was located 75 kilometers northwest of Maniwaki, and residents in cities like Ottawa and Gatineau reported feeling the shake. A resident from Kanata even speculated whether the quake had jolted them from sleep. In another instance, a homeowner reported seeing snow cascading from their roof – a lively reminder of the quake’s suddenness.

Stephen Crane, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, noted that earthquakes of this size are likely to be widely felt, especially in regions that are less accustomed to seismic activity. 'Earthquakes generally start causing structural damage at a magnitude of 5,' he explained. 'So, since this quake was below that threshold, we wouldn't anticipate any major harm.'

Crane further indicated that aftershocks are generally uncommon for events of this magnitude. Should aftershocks occur, they would likely be much smaller and not felt by the majority of people.

Notably, this earthquake occurred within the West Kazbek seismic zone, an area recognized for its seismic activity stretching from the Ottawa Valley through to Montreal and Temiskaming. While this specific quake was mild and non-damaging, Crane warned that historic records indicate the zone is capable of producing more significant earthquakes in the future.

While the exact timing of future quakes remains unpredictable, Natural Resources Canada has rolled out an innovative Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system designed to provide alerts to the public. Crane described the system as a way to ensure personnel can respond quickly: 'Once an earthquake is detected, alerts are sent out to users, giving just seconds of notice to drop, cover, and hold on.'

Currently, the EEW system operates in western British Columbia and will commence in early 2025 for Ontario and southern Quebec, a development that could enhance public safety and preparedness in the face of potential seismic events.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor geological developments and ensure our communities are informed and ready!