CHAZY, N.Y. – Residents in northern New York near the Canadian border woke up to an unusual rumble early Tuesday after a minor earthquake struck just north of Chazy. The magnitude 2.6 tremor hit around 11:40 p.m. EDT Monday night, about 4 kilometers northwest of the small Clinton County community, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake, centered roughly 40 miles south of Montreal, was shallow—about 8.7 kilometers deep—and lightly felt across the Lake Champlain Valley, including Plattsburgh and Alburgh, Vermont. While no damage or injuries were reported, several residents described a brief shake lasting only a few seconds. Local emergency managers urged residents to inspect homes and outbuildings for cracks, especially near foundations.
According to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, tremors of this size are rare but not unprecedented along the northern Appalachian fault zones. The agency noted that the region occasionally experiences low-magnitude quakes due to ancient fault lines stretching beneath the St. Lawrence Valley.
Clinton County Emergency Services reported no infrastructure impacts but reminded residents to review home emergency kits and ensure basic safety supplies are available as cooler fall weather settles in. Those traveling on I-87 or across the Champlain bridges should be aware of possible loose debris following ground movement.
The minor quake comes as North Country residents brace for a crisp stretch of fall weather, with sunny skies midweek and cooler air by Thursday. It’s a reminder that even in calm weather, the ground beneath New York’s northern border can still surprise.
