Controlled blast thought to be an earthquake

Controlled blast thought to be an earthquake Some residents of the North Bay area felt the ground shake and two possible explanations caused some confusion. Brittany Bortolon reports.

Update:

Some people in North Bay and area were wondering why the earth shook this morning and for a while, it was thought there might have been an earthquake, but over the course of the day, it was revealed that it was simply a controlled blast at a local quarry.

Shortly after 9 am, many around North Bay could hear, and in some cases feel, rumbling beneath them.

After a number of calls began pouring in to city staff and North Bay Fire, officials confirmed it was a controlled blast by a local paving company at a local quarry.

North Bay fire officials say they were surprised by the blast

Jason Whiteley is the Chief of North Bay Fire and Emergency Services.

"Unfortunately, there was no communication with the actual City of North Bay, the fire department, our engineering works, or community services department. So, we were unaware that there was blasting going within the city limits." said Whiteley.

Later in the morning, North Bay Police say they received information that the blast was in fact a small earthquake.

"We were able to confirm through Natural Resources Canada that it was actually a small earthquake, a small tremor hit North Bay this morning." said police constable John Schultz.

But late in the afternoon, it was concluded that the quarry blast had actually fooled the seismology equipment at Natural Resources Canada, making it register as a 2.2 level earthquake.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry felt the mystery was solved, saying:

“At this point, what we can say is that while we aren't aware of an earthquake as reported, we can confirm that at approximately 9:00 am this morning, a blast from a licensed quarry occurred in the south end of the city of North Bay. It seems the blast was heard and felt through most of the city."

Still, the Fire Chief has some concerns about why the quarry blast was so big.

"Blasting is regulated. The actual explosives part is regulated by Natural Resources Canada, so I do have some questions and concerns about the possible size of this blast." said Whiteley.

The Fire Chief says he is unsure of how long the blasting at the quarry will continue, but did express concern once again, that he wants to be notified when it's going to take place.

Original:

Some people in North Bay and area were wondering why the earth shook this morning, and it appears there are two explanations.

The blast shook all parts of the city and was felt as far as Astorville.

North Bay Police have confirmed with Natural Resources Canada that the North Bay area had a minor earthquake measuring 2.2 on the scale around 9am.

It was centred just south of the city.

Fire crews also confirmed that a local paving company had executed a blast at its quarry.