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Earthquake rattles Ottawa area
Earthquakes Canada said thousands reported the 3.9 magnitude tremor, and people as far as Toronto felt it.
- On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, a 3.9 magnitude earthquake struck 20 kilometres northeast of Shawville, Que., at 12:36 p.m., according to Earthquakes Canada. Residents in Ottawa and as far as Toronto reported feeling vibrations.
- Natural Resources Canada seismic analyst Chris Boucher noted the area sits within the Western Quebec Seismic Zone, a moderately active region experiencing "about a dozen felt earthquakes every year."
- Shawville Mayor Bill McCleary reported no major damage, describing his experience as "just a loud bang," while residents reported rattling houses and falling pictures with no resulting injuries.
- Researchers at Carleton University, including Professor Jeffrey Erochko, are studying how buildings respond to intense shaking. PhD student Cameron Flude noted suspended ceilings often become falling hazards during seismic events.
- The last large earthquake felt in Ottawa occurred in 2010, when a 5.0 magnitude quake hit Val-des-Bois and lasted about 30 seconds. Eastern earthquakes can be as large as western ones but occur significantly less often.
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3.9 magnitude earthquake rattles Ottawa
A 3.9 magnitude earthquake rumbled the nation’s capital on Tuesday afternoon, according to Earthquakes Canada. According to reports, the quake hit near Shawville, Que. about 77 kilometres northwest of Ottawa. It happened about 12:36 p.m. on April 14, the site notes. It was at a depth of 13 kilometres. Thousands of reports were sent to […]
·Toronto, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Left
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
63% Left
L 63%
C 37%
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