A 5.5 magnitude earthquake lasting about 10-15 seconds was felt at The University of Western Ontario and right across southwestern Ontario, with reports coming from as far as Ottawa, Quebec and into Ohio and Michigan.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake began at 1:41 p.m. and was centred just north of Ottawa. Western Earth Science professors are currently going over data regarding the incident.
Western Earth Sciences professors Kristy Tiampo and Gail Atkinson are joined by a number of students as they look over data from the 5.5 magnitude earthquake that hit southwestern Ontario earlier this afternoon. Photos by Mitch Zimmer
The USGS states the large Western Quebec seismic zone, where this earthquake was centred, has had its share of earthquakes in the past. In recent history the largest was in 1935 when a magnitude 6.1 shook the northwestern end of the seismic zone.
Earthquakes cause damage in the zone about once a decade. Smaller earthquakes are felt three or four times a year.
