MONTREAL (CP) - A light earthquake struck northern Quebec Wednesday afternoon.

The quake measured 4.0 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was about four kilometres southwest of the Inuit village of Puvirnituq, in the province's far north.

According to the Geological Survey of Canada, residents felt vibrations in their homes. Those near the epicentre said it sounded like an explosion when it struck after 5 p.m. ET.

Cathy Woodgold, a spokeswoman for the federal agency, said there were no reports of injuries or damage.

Four or five quakes of similar intensity typically strike eastern Canada each year.

Last month, a 4.5-magnitude quake struck the Thurso region, about 45 kilometres east-northeast of Ottawa.