The 1944 Magnitude 5.8 Cornwall-Massena earthquake
Location and Magnitude
- Local Date and Time: September 5, 1944 at 12:38:45 am Eastern time
- UT Date and Time: 1944-09-05 04:38:45 UT
- Magnitude: MW 5.8; MS 5.6; mN 5.8
- Maximum Intensity: Modified Mercalli VII
- Latitude: 44.97° N
- Longitude: 74.90° W
- Depth: 20 km
Isoseismal Map: (Modified Mercalli)
Although this earthquake was only of magnitude 5.8, it caused considerable damage in both Cornwall and Massena, New York. About 2,000 chimneys were damaged in Cornwall.
![Cornwall Isoseismic map Map of affected area](/historic-historique/events/images/19440905_tn_1944CornwallIsoseis_e.jpg)
Cornwall, Ontario
Considerable damage was caused at the Collegiate and Vocational School. The falling masonry broke through the roof of the adjacent gymnasium.
![Damage to a school, exterior Damage to a school, exterior](/historic-historique/events/images/19440905_da_1944_2.jpg)
![Damage to a school, interior Damage to a school, interior](/historic-historique/events/images/19440905_da_1944_3.jpg)
Damage to a residential building.
![Residential building damage Damage to a residential building](/historic-historique/events/images/19440905_da_1944_4.jpg)
Damage to a two-storey residence.
![Damage to two story residence Damage to a two-storey residence](/historic-historique/events/images/19440905_da_1944_5.jpg)
References
- Bent, A.L., 1996. Source parameters of the damaging Cornwall-Massena earthquake of 1944 from regional waveforms. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, V. 86, 489-497.