Magnitude 3.9 Earthquake Strikes Ottawa Area

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck the Ottawa area on April 14, 2026, with the epicenter located northeast of Shawville, Quebec.

Earthquakes Canada reported that the tremors occurred at approximately noon local time on April 14, 2026. The quake was recorded at a shallow depth of 13 kilometers, or 6.2 miles.

Residents across the region reported feeling the ground move, with some describing the shaking as lasting between 15 and 20 seconds. The tremors were felt over a broad area encompassing eastern Ontario and Quebec.

Impact and Local Reports

While the earthquake caused panic among some residents, a local weather organization based in Ontario stated that no damage had been reported following the event.

Locals described the sensation of the earthquake as causing houses to shake. One resident, speaking to CTV News, noted that the building was vibrating and it sounded like a large truck was going by at the beginning before the vibration in the buildings increased.

Social media reports from the afternoon of April 14, 2026, included varying assessments of the magnitude, with some mentions of a 4.0 magnitude quake felt across eastern Ontario and Quebec, though official data from Earthquakes Canada cited the magnitude at 3.9.