Halifax, Nova Scotia – A minor earthquake struck 229 kilometers southeast of Cow Bay early Monday morning, raising awareness of seismic activity off Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 3.8-magnitude earthquake was recorded at 12:50 a.m. ADT (03:50 UTC) at a depth of 10 kilometers. The offshore epicenter lies well beneath the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of the Halifax region. No damage or injuries have been reported, and no tsunami alert was issued.
While the quake occurred far offshore, some coastal communities in Nova Scotia may have experienced light vibrations, particularly in elevated areas or near the shoreline. The region is not known for strong seismic activity, but minor offshore quakes have been detected in past years without significant impacts.
Emergency Management Office officials say events of this size rarely cause infrastructure damage, but they advise residents to report any unusual shaking to Natural Resources Canada’s Earthquake Reports or the USGS’s “Did You Feel It?” tool to assist with data collection.
Monday’s tremor serves as a reminder that Atlantic Canada, while not highly active seismically, can still experience measurable offshore tectonic movement.
No further advisories have been issued as of Monday morning. Authorities will continue to monitor for any aftershocks.
