Photo: Repairing a water main break

At 10:22 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, the earth DID move—if ever so slightly—under the feet of Belmont residents for about 10 seconds as a 3.8-magnitude earthquake shook up the morning in the Town of Homes.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was six miles southeast of York Harbor, Maine, and was felt along the New England coast.

In Belmont, the shaking was primarily felt in residential homes. Many who talked to the Belmontonian said it was like a large commercial vehicle traveling outside their homes or a washer spinning-drying a lopsided load of laundry. Town officials on the third floor of Town Hall said the shaking was noticeable.

“It wasn’t much,” said one resident of the day’s geological event. “My cat did get up and looked around, but my dog slept through it.”

Police Chief Jamie MacIssacs said there was no report of injuries or personal property damage. Yet DPW Director Jay Marcotte said the earthquake caused two water main breaks on Elm Street and Watson Road.

The USGS reported that Monday’s earthquake was the fifth-strongest on record in Maine.

A 2012 4.7-magnitude quake near Hollis Center, Maine, was felt throughout town just as the Belmont High Boys’ Soccer team scored the first goal in a 2-1 upset victory over then-undefeated Winchester.