Earthquake Canada says mining activities caused 3.5 magnitude earthquake in Sudbury, Ontario

Earthquake Canada has confirmed that the magnitude 3.5 earthquake widely felt in Greater Sudbury on Friday morning was triggered by mining activity in the area.

The earthquake struck at 11:20 a.m. ET.

In an email to CBC News, mining company Vale said the quake hit its Creighton mine.Near the Greater Sudbury community of Lively.

“All employees are safe and all established protocols have been followed,” the email said.

Earthquake Canada seismologist Claire Perry told CBC News the quake occurred at a shallow depth of between one and 10 kilometres.

“This indicates to us that this is indeed a mining-related incident,” he said.

There was an earthquake of 2.9 magnitude at the beginning of the week also originated At Creighton Mine.

“Sudbury is really not a highly active area for natural earthquakes,” Perry said. “So usually when we hear about earthquakes in the area, they are related to nearby industrial activities.”

Perry said mining-induced earthquakes are generally less powerful than natural earthquakes, and are unlikely to cause any significant damage.