Ottawa Felt the Shake on Tuesday Afternoon
Ottawa residents got an unexpected mid-afternoon jolt on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as a 3.9 magnitude earthquake rumbled through the Ottawa-Gatineau region. Earthquakes Canada confirmed the quake was centred north of Shawville, Quebec — a small town about 100 kilometres northwest of the capital — and struck in the early afternoon hours.
For many locals, the tremor likely felt like a brief rumble or a sudden shudder — the kind that makes you look up from your desk and wonder if a heavy truck just rolled by, or something more.
What We Know About the Quake
At 3.9 magnitude, this earthquake sits in the "minor" category on the Richter scale. Minor quakes in this range are generally felt by people indoors, particularly on upper floors of buildings, but rarely cause significant damage. Loose objects may rattle or shift, and the sensation is often described as a low rumble or a brief rolling feeling underfoot.
Shawville, Quebec, in the Pontiac region, sits in an area that is no stranger to seismic activity. The Ottawa Valley and surrounding region lie within the Western Quebec Seismic Zone — one of the more seismically active areas in eastern Canada. The zone stretches from Montreal to Témiscaming and has historically produced earthquakes ranging from minor tremors to more significant events.
Earthquakes in the Ottawa Valley: Not Uncommon
If you felt Tuesday's quake and were surprised, you're not alone — but seismologists aren't. The Western Quebec Seismic Zone generates dozens of small earthquakes every year, most of which go unnoticed. Larger, felt earthquakes happen a handful of times annually, and the region has experienced notable quakes in the past.
The geology of the Ottawa Valley, shaped by ancient fault lines and post-glacial rebound (the land slowly rising since the last ice age retreated), makes this part of Canada one of the most earthquake-prone in the east. It's one reason the National Capital Region has specific building codes that account for seismic risk.
What to Do During an Earthquake
If you're caught off guard by a tremor, the standard advice from emergency management officials applies:
- Drop, cover, and hold on — get under a sturdy table or desk if possible
- Stay away from windows and heavy objects that could fall
- Don't run outside during shaking — most injuries happen from falling debris near exits
- After the shaking stops, check for damage and be aware of aftershocks
For a quake of this size, significant damage is unlikely, but it's always worth a quick check of your home — especially chimneys, older masonry, or anything fragile on high shelves.
Did You Feel It?
Earthquakes Canada encourages anyone who felt Tuesday's quake to report their experience through their "Did You Feel It?" tool online. These crowdsourced reports help scientists better understand the impact and reach of seismic events across the region.
No injuries or damage have been reported as of Tuesday afternoon.
Source: CBC Ottawa / Earthquakes Canada. Original report via CBC Ottawa.
