Eastern Quebec earthquake of magnitude 4.4 jolts Mont-Joli region
A magnitude 4.4 Eastern Quebec earthquake struck near Mont-Joli Thursday morning, felt across Bas‑Saint‑Laurent, Gaspésie and the Côte‑Nord with no immediate reports of structural damage.
Early Thursday at 10:20 a.m., a 4.4‑magnitude Eastern Quebec earthquake shook communities along the lower St. Lawrence, according to Seismes Canada. The agency located the epicentre about 25 kilometres northeast of Mont‑Joli beneath the St. Lawrence River, and reported the event was felt across a broad area.
Epicentre located northeast of Mont‑Joli
Seismes Canada placed the epicentre roughly 25 kilometres northeast of Mont‑Joli, under the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The agency says the quake occurred at a depth of about 21 kilometres, a depth consistent with many intraplate events in the region.
Shocks felt across Bas‑Saint‑Laurent, Gaspésie and Côte‑Nord
Residents reported feeling the tremor in Rivière‑du‑Loup, Rimouski, Baie‑des‑Chaleurs, Baie‑Comeau and Sept‑Îles, and some accounts extended into neighbouring New Brunswick.
Seismes Canada noted that the shaking was “well felt” up to 200 or 300 kilometres from the epicentre, prompting a large number of calls and social media reports across eastern Quebec.
Depth, magnitude and scientific assessment
Natural Resources Canada seismic analyst Christopher Boucher described the shaking as moderate and below the level typically associated with structural damage, which is generally expected above magnitude five.
With a depth near 21 kilometres and a moderate magnitude, the event fits the profile of frequent, low‑impact seismicity recorded in eastern Canada each year, specialists said.
Historical context for the region
Seismes Canada described Thursday’s tremor as the largest felt in the area since a magnitude‑4.5 event south of Sept‑Îles in 1999.
Analysts also point to a magnitude‑4 event in the same sector in 2013 and recall the larger Saguenay earthquake of 1988, which registered magnitude 5.6 and caused more significant effects in the region.
Local response and precautionary measures
Health authorities in the Bas‑Saint‑Laurent region confirmed the CLSC in Matane was evacuated as a precaution following the tremor, and staff and patients re‑entered the building shortly afterward.
No significant damage or injuries were reported in early assessments, and emergency services urged residents to check their surroundings and report any concerns through local channels.
Seismic activity patterns in eastern Canada
Seismes Canada notes that eastern Canada experiences roughly 450 earthquakes annually, with an average of about four events per year exceeding magnitude four.
Experts emphasize that most quakes in the region are small and cause little to no damage, but monitoring and public awareness remain important given the province’s varied geological history.
Local officials and seismic experts continue to review data from Thursday’s event and will update assessments if new information on aftershocks or impacts emerges.
Emergency responders and regional authorities advised residents to follow standard earthquake preparedness steps: secure heavy items, review family emergency plans and report any structural concerns to municipal officials.
