While the coast of Labrador has experienced a number of recent earthquakes —two of the latest rocked Makkovik early yesterday— they remain relatively rare events in this province.

Don Raeside, a science interpreter with the Johnson GEO Centre and who has a bachelor’s degree in geology, says the Labrador quakes happened in the middle of the North American plate rather than along a fault line.

Labrador contains some of the oldest exposed rock on the planet and Raeside says the two recent 4.5 tremors felt in Makkovik overnight Tuesday are not uncommon, but nothing like those experienced in other parts of the world.

He says all tectonic plates are under tremendous pressure and there is a weakness along the coast of Labrador where thick, ancient rock meets thinner rock at the bottom of the ocean.

If there are any ancient cracks or faults in the rock, they can move under that stress and strain. While not uncommon, earthquakes in that area tend to be very small.

Residents of Makkovik say houses shook, dishes rattled and wall hangings shifted. Raeside says both Earthquakes Canada and the US Geological Survey welcome resident reports on earthquakes.