Two earthquakes in Windsor-Essex not unusual, seismologist says

A map showing the location of an earthquake in Michigan on May 4, 2026.(Source: Earthquakes Canada)

A seismologist with Natural Resources Canada says it is not uncommon for two earthquakes to occur close together in this region.

A magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck near Carleton, in Monroe County, just after 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4. The U.S. Geological Survey and Earthquakes Canada say it occurred at a depth of about five kilometres.

It came eight days after a magnitude 3.0 earthquake recorded at 10:32 a.m. on Sunday, April 26. That quake was centred about 11 kilometres southeast of Amherstburg and was also felt in McGregor, Harrow and west Windsor.

The U.S. Geological Survey says that earthquake occurred 2.1 kilometres below the surface.

Claire Perry, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, said the Windsor-Essex region is considered an area of low to moderate seismicity, based on the frequency and magnitude of earthquakes.

“Any kind of an aftershock, generally, would be lower magnitude, but not always. When we get into that 2 or lower threshold, very few people would perceive shaking,” she said.

Perry said that since 2000, there have been well over 100 earthquakes in the Windsor-Essex and metro Detroit regions, according to Earthquakes Canada.

“101 magnitude 2s, 14 magnitude 3s, and two larger magnitude 4 events within a 200-kilometre radius,” she said.

Perry said some earthquakes are felt more widely than others depending on several factors.

“First of all, it’s a question of magnitude for the energy that’s dispersed following an event. It also depends on the depth of the event and where people are relative to the earthquake’s epicentre,” she said.

No damage has been reported from the recent earthquakes, according to Earthquakes Canada.

Both Earthquakes Canada and the United States Geological Survey are encouraging anyone who felt the shaking to submit a report through their websites.