An earthquake in Southeastern Canada this morning rattled buildings and nerves across Ontario, Quebec, and Western New York.Earthquakes Canada says it registered a 4.4. magnitude temblor in Shawville, Quebec near Ottawa. The epicenter was located about 240 nautical miles northeast of Buffalo.
At the University at Buffalo's Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, Chief of Staff Don Goralski says there have been a number of reports the quake was felt just around 9:43 a.m.
"That's not unusual in Eastern North America. Earthquakes in this part of the North American plate are often felt over great distances," Goralski said.
Less than 10 minutes later, a 3.6 magnitude aftershock was also recorded.
Many Western New Yorkers felt the quake. It was also felt in Rochester and Syracuse. There are no reports of damage.
"It was certainly felt over a wide area, but the chances of there being any damage from this quake is pretty small. You would not expect significant damage. You would not expect injuries from this kind of an earthquake," said Mark Castner, Director of the Braun-Ruddick Seismograph Station at Canisius College.