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Earth Sciences Sector > Priorities > Canadian Hazard Information Service > Earthquakes Canada

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 Significant Earthquakes of the 20th Century

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Canada Seismicity map with significant 20th century events highlighted/)

The largest 20th century earthquake in Canada (magnitude 8.1) occurred in 1949 in the sparsely populated Queen Charlotte Islands. In 1929, 28 people drowned in the tsunami generated by an offshore earthquake of magnitude 7.2 south of Newfoundland. A magnitude 6 earthquake in the Saguenay region of Quebec in November 1988 caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. It was the largest earthquake in eastern North America since 1935.

The following list displays the year, magnitude and location of the significant earthquakes located in Canada in the 20th century, plus a few smaller earthquakes of particular interest. Note that all dates use Universal Time or GMT
1989/12/25, 60.12N 73.60W, 6.3, Ungava region, Quebec

1988/11/25, 48.12N 71.18W, 5.9, Saguenay region, Quebec

1985/10/05, 62.21N 124.22W, 6.6 and
1985/12/23, 62.19N 124.24W, 6.9,
Nahanni region, Northwest Territories
1982/01/09, 47.00N 66.60W, 5.7 and
1982/01/11, 47.00N 66.60W, 5.4,
Miramichi region, New Brunswick

1979/02/28, 60.59N 141.47W, 7.2, Southern Yukon-Alaska Border

1970/06/24, 51.77N 130.76W, 7.4, South of Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia

1958/07/10, 58.60N 137.10W, 7.9, near the British Columbia-Alaska Border

1949/08/22, 53.62N 133.27W, 8.1, Offshore Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia

1946/06/23, 49.76N 125.34W, 7.3, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

1944/09/05, 44.97N 74.90W, 5.6, Cornwall region, Ontario-New York border

1935/11/01, 46.78N 79.07W, 6.2, Quebec - Ontario Border, Temiscamingue region

1933/11/20, 73.00N 70.75W, 7.3, Baffin Bay, Northwest Territories

1929/11/18, 44.50N 56.30W, 7.2, Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland

1929/05/26, 51.51N 130.74W, 7.0, South of Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia
1925/03/01, 47.80N 69.80W, 6.2, Charlevoix-Kamouraska region, Quebec

1918/12/06, 49.62N 125.92W, 7.0, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Last modified 2006-05-18 top of page Important notices
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