Earthquake hits near Ottawa; tremors felt in Waterloo Region

Evacuated employees are seen outside the Region of Waterloo administration building in Kitchener, Ont., on Friday, May 17, 2013. (Meghan Furman / CTV Kitchener)

The ground opened up and buildings shook, but a Friday morning earthquake appears to have caused no damage in Waterloo Region or areas beyond.

Earthquakes Canada says a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit at 9:43 a.m. near Shawville, Que., northwest of Ottawa.

About 10 minutes later, a 4.2-magnitude aftershock was also recorded.

Both quakes were felt in Waterloo Region, particularly in high-rise buildings.

Some people said they felt chairs move and buildings shake, especially in Waterloo and areas to the north.

The Region of Waterloo’s administration building on Frederick Street in downtown Kitchener was evacuated as a precaution.

Evacuated workers said even though many of them had been present for a similar earthquake in 2010, it was difficult to describe exactly what they felt.

“It was kind of just a sway … you could feel the building swaying,” said Eric Pisani.

“You just feel your chair shaking, like someone’s standing behind you, shaking your chair. Everything’s just shaking,” said Barbara Anton.

Ontario Provincial Police in Arnprior, not far from the quake’s epicentre, say they have received no reports of damage.

Arnprior Mayor David Reid says closer to the epicentre, the jolt came out of nowhere.

“All of a sudden the earthquake hit, and I must say it felt like I was standing right over top of it,” he told CTV.

Waterloo Regional Police say there were no reports of damage or injuries locally.

With files from The Canadian Press