Thousands of individuals in southern and central Ontario reported feeling the effects of an earthquake late Tuesday night, as per Natural Resources Canada. The seismic event, measuring a magnitude of 3.7, was recorded by Earthquakes Canada approximately 99 kilometers northeast of Toronto, occurring just before 11 p.m. ET.
The earthquake, described as “lightly felt,” was pinpointed 23 kilometers southeast of Orillia, Ontario, and had a depth of five kilometers. Natural Resources Canada’s seismologist, Marikah Adams, mentioned that around 2,600 people have already reported sensing the earthquake, with reports coming in from locations such as Kingston to Kitchener.
Sarah Cowley, an artist based in Beaverton, recounted hearing a “roaring sound” as her home shook during the quake. Despite the intense experience, Cowley noted that her husband slept through the event, and upon inspection, no visible damage was observed from her window.
The earthquake was felt by numerous individuals as far as Kitchener to Toronto and eastward to Belleville, and even extending southward to Niagara Falls, as evidenced by the significant number of reports on the “Did you feel it?” link on the website. While there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, historical data from Earthquakes Canada indicates that the region has previously encountered earthquakes of a similar size, with the most significant one recorded as a magnitude 5.5 quake in 1929.
According to Adams, the seismic activity in the area is unusual due to its location within the North American plate, away from typical plate boundaries. The cause of earthquakes in such intraplate regions is less understood compared to those near plate boundaries. The event could have been triggered by regional stress fields or reactivation of old buried faults along zones of crustal weakness.
Lindsay Schoenbohm, a geologist from the University of Toronto, explained that stress accumulation near faults or cracks in the tectonic plate can lead to sudden releases known as “snap, crack, pop earthquakes.” While earthquakes are infrequent in this region, Adams emphasized the importance of being prepared and knowing how to respond in such situations.
Social media buzzed with comments about the earthquake being the latest challenge for the region, which has recently faced extreme weather conditions. Cowley reflected on the events of the past week, emphasizing the need to respect nature and its unpredictability.
In comparing earthquake reports, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the event as a magnitude 4.1 earthquake, slightly differing from Earthquakes Canada’s data. This variance could be attributed to different monitoring stations or magnitude scales used in the assessments. Seismologist Stephen Crane highlighted the importance of relying on Earthquakes Canada as the authoritative source for earthquake information within the country.
The USGS, lacking access to Canadian monitoring stations, may employ distinct measurement scales, according to Crane. Residents are advised to refer to Earthquakes Canada for accurate and reliable earthquake updates. CBC News contacted the USGS for further insights.
This earthquake event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic activity and the importance of being prepared for potential future occurrences.