A moderate earthquake struck eastern Quebec on Thursday morning, prompting reports from across the region. Earthquakes Canada said it recorded the tremor and put its magnitude at 4.5. The event was felt by many residents even though it did not cause apparent harm.
According to Earthquakes Canada, the tremor hit at 10:21 a.m. Eastern time. The agency placed the epicentre about 25 kilometres northeast of Matane. That location lies in eastern Quebec, along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence.
To put the location in context, the area is about a four-hour drive north of Quebec City. The distance underscores that the shaking was centred in a less densely populated part of the province. Even so, its effects reached well beyond the immediate epicentre.
So far, there have been no reports of damage tied to the earthquake. A magnitude of 4.5 is generally felt clearly by people but is not typically associated with serious structural harm. The absence of damage reports offered early reassurance to residents.
Despite the lack of damage, the tremor was widely noticed. People reported feeling it across the lower St. Lawrence region. The shaking was strong enough to be sensed by those going about their morning.
The earthquake was also felt in the Gaspe region and along the North Shore. That spread of reports indicates the tremor carried across a broad area of eastern Quebec. Residents in several communities described noticing the movement.
For now, the event stands as a moderate earthquake that was felt widely but caused no reported harm. Earthquakes Canada's measurements provide the official account of the tremor's size, timing and location. Authorities and residents will continue to watch for any further reports in the hours ahead.