A 5.0-magnitude earthquake shook southern Ontario Wednesday afternoon.

It hit just before 2pm, about 85 kilometres north of Ottawa, and was felt throughout southern Ontario, Quebec and the eastern seaboard of the United States.

"The earthquake that occurred today occurred in a zone of weakness in the crust that we call the Western Quebec Seismic Zone," explained Alexander Cruden, Geologist, University of Toronto.

Erin Burke, who lives in Toronto's High Park area, was doing home renovations when the walls began to shake. 

"I was painting and trying to move a bookshelf when suddenly everything started to shake in the house and I had no idea what was going on, and pictures kind of fell down.  It was quick. It was no longer than about 5 or 10 seconds long."

"Now that I hear it was an earthquake it makes sense, but it was quick.  It made a bit of a mess."

Kim Mein, who lives in West Hamilton, also felt the tremors.

"My boyfriend was in the other room on the computer and he shouted out, 'Kim, oh my god, do you feel that? The ground is shaking, the ground is shaking,' and I felt it and it's the first time I've ever felt anything like that.  I was scared."

Mein initially thought the shaking was related the construction in her apartment building, but news of the quake was quickly confirmed online.

Although numerous people throughout the GTA relayed stories about the quake, many were also oblivious to it.

"We understand that things are fine in Toronto," said Mayor David Miller.  "Obviously scary for people who felt it, particularly school children."

There have been no reports of serious injuries.

Approximately 5,000 mostly small earthquakes are reported in the country every year, according to the Government of Canada.

In the past century, at least nine earthquakes in or near Canada have registered a magnitude greater than 7.0 on the Richter scale. Even a magnitude-6.0 earthquake can cause significant damage in a built-up area.

Alternating billboard at Yonge-Dundas Square stuck due to earthquake damage.
(Shawne McKeown, CityNews.ca) 

Earthquake Facts and Safety Tips

---

City of Toronto Statement:

In our initial assessment, there has been no major damage to City infrastructure. Further investigations are taking place to confirm. The Toronto Transit Commission and Transportation Services have reported that there has been no damage to their infrastructure or interruptions to service.

The City’s Emergency Operations Centre is up and running in preparation for the G20 so the City is uniquely prepared to respond to the event. We will continue to monitor the situation and will report as necessary.

Residents should follow the instructions of their building management.

The City has received no calls concerning bridge, building or other infrastructure problems.

While not applicable to this event, in future, should there be a major or more serious earthquake:

Residents should stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls. DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

If outdoors - stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.

If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.