A rare earthquake struck near the eastern U.S.–Canada border early Wednesday, drawing attention to an area not typically known for seismic activity. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake registered a magnitude 3.0 and occurred approximately 12 kilometers north-northwest of Saint-Pascal, Quebec, at a depth of nearly 19 kilometers. While the quake was considered minor, its location makes it notable due to the generally low frequency of earthquakes in eastern Canada and northern New England.
The tremor occurred north of Quebec’s Lower Saint Lawrence region and was close enough to the international border that residents in northern Maine, including areas near Caribou, may have felt light shaking. Several residents reported brief rumbles or vibrations, though no injuries or damage were reported. Events of this size are typically felt only by people close to the epicenter and rarely cause structural impact.
Seismologists note that earthquakes in eastern North America behave differently than those in the western United States. The older, denser bedrock found in the East allows seismic waves to travel farther, which means even modest earthquakes can be felt over a wider area. However, earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater remain relatively uncommon in this part of the continent.
The quake was reviewed and confirmed by the USGS and is part of a long-term pattern of low-level seismicity associated with ancient fault systems beneath eastern Canada. These faults are remnants of geological processes dating back hundreds of millions of years, long before the Atlantic Ocean formed.
While the event may have surprised residents, experts emphasize that this earthquake does not indicate an increased risk of major seismic activity in Maine or Quebec. Still, it serves as a reminder that earthquakes can occur even in regions considered geologically stable. Authorities encourage residents who felt shaking to submit reports to help scientists better understand how seismic energy travels through the region.
