Thousands of residents in southern and central Ontario reported being rattled by an earthquake late on Tuesday night, as confirmed by Natural Resources Canada. The seismic event, registering at a magnitude of 3.7, was detected by Earthquakes Canada approximately 99 kilometers northeast of Toronto just before 11 p.m. ET.
This tremor, described as “lightly felt,” was pinpointed 23 kilometers southeast of Orillia, Ontario, and occurred at a depth of five kilometers. According to Marikah Adams, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, around 2,600 individuals have already reported feeling the earthquake, with reports stretching from Kingston to Kitchener, and more reports still being collected.
One resident, Sarah Cowley, an artist from Beaverton, recounted experiencing a “roaring sound” as her house shook during the quake. Despite the intense moment, with floors trembling in her 120-year-old home, no visible damage was observed when she checked outside for fallen trees. Interestingly, while Cowley was shaken by the event, her husband slept through it undisturbed.
The seismic activity was widely felt across the region, with over 2,000 reports logged through the site’s “Did you feel it?” link, spanning from Kitchener in the west to Belleville in the east and even reaching Niagara Falls in the south.
Although there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries, historical data from Earthquakes Canada reveals that this area has encountered two earthquakes of similar magnitudes in the past 25 years, with the most significant being a magnitude 5.5 quake in 1929.
Providing insight into the unusual occurrence, Adams explained that seismic activity is atypical in this area, as it lies within the North American plate’s intraplate region. The cause of the quake remains somewhat enigmatic, with potential explanations ranging from regional stress fields to reactivation of old buried faults along zones of crustal weakness.
Lindsay Schoenbohm, a geologist and associate producer at the University of Toronto, suggested that pressure accumulation near old faults or buried cracks within the tectonic plate could lead to sudden releases known as “snap, crack, pop earthquakes.”
While seismic events are infrequent in this region, Adams emphasized that they serve as a critical reminder of the unpredictable nature of earthquakes and the importance of being prepared. She advised individuals to follow safety protocols such as “stop, drop, cover, and hold on” during an earthquake, highlighting the significance of seeking shelter under sturdy furniture indoors and avoiding buildings if outside.
Contrary to common belief, Schoenbohm dispelled the notion of standing under doorways for protection during earthquakes, emphasizing the value of each seismic event as a learning opportunity for scientists to enhance future predictions. Additionally, she noted that every earthquake contributes to a deeper understanding of seismic activity.
Amidst social media discussions reflecting on the quake’s impact, particularly following extreme weather conditions in the region, Cowley stressed the significance of respecting nature’s capabilities. She concluded that while certain events are beyond human control, it is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared.
In comparing reports, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the event as a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, slightly differing from Earthquakes Canada’s data. Seismologist Stephen Crane attributed these variations to differences in monitoring stations or magnitude measurement scales. Crane affirmed the credibility of Earthquakes Canada as the authoritative source for seismic events within the country.
Notably, CBC News sought input from the USGS for additional insights on the earthquake.
