3.5-magnitude earthquake rattles Ontario

Residents of eastern Ontario were shaken awake early Wednesday morning by a 3.5-magnitude earthquake.

The quake struck at 4:19 a.m. ET, with its epicentre located about 10 kilometres southwest of Pembroke, Ont. It was felt as far away as Ottawa and Montreal.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Natural Resources Canada seismologist Allison Bent said the quake was the largest to hit the Ottawa area in several years.

"It was a pretty significant earthquake for this area," Bent said. "We don't get a lot of earthquakes in this part of the world."

Bent said the quake was likely caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface.

"The Ottawa area is located in a seismically active zone," Bent said. "We get a few earthquakes every year, but they're usually very small."

The earthquake was felt by many residents in the Ottawa area.

"I was sleeping and I felt my bed shaking," said Ottawa resident Sarah Jones. "I thought it was a truck driving by, but then I realized it was an earthquake."

"It was a little scary," said Pembroke resident John Smith. "I've never felt an earthquake before."

Bent said there is no need for residents to be concerned about the earthquake.

"It was a one-time event," Bent said. "There's no need to worry about any aftershocks or anything like that."