A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck eastern Quebec on Friday, June 18, 2026, with the tremor felt across Bas‑Saint‑Laurent, the Gaspésie peninsula and the Côte‑Nord region. The seismic event registered at 4.5 on the Richter scale, according to provincial monitoring agencies, and was the strongest shaking reported in the area in recent years.
The quake’s epicenter lay within the eastern part of the province, causing residents in the three affected regions to experience noticeable ground movement. Local authorities confirmed that the shaking was felt for several minutes, but no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage were released at the time of the announcement.
Eastern Quebec is accustomed to occasional low‑magnitude tremors, typically ranging below magnitude 3.0. However, a 4.5‑magnitude event exceeds the usual intensity of seismic activity in the region, making it a noteworthy occurrence for both residents and scientists monitoring the area’s geological stability.
Seismologists noted that while the province does not sit on a major fault line, the presence of minor faults can generate occasional earthquakes. The June 18 event will be added to the provincial seismic catalog and may prompt further study of the underlying tectonic forces that occasionally produce such tremors in eastern Quebec. No further advisories were issued following the initial assessment, and normal activities were expected to resume shortly after the quake.
The provincial emergency management office advised citizens to remain alert for any aftershocks, which can follow larger seismic events, and to follow standard safety procedures in the unlikely event of additional shaking.