BC Earthquake Strikes

Early Saturday morning (January 5) a "strong" underwater earthquake occurred off the coast of British Columbia, registering a magnitude of 6.7. The quake struck at about 3:45 a.m. Pacific Standard Time, the second of two to strike within 30 minutes in the same area. It was centred about 135 miles (241 kilometres) southwest of Sandspit, Queen Charlotte Islands. A tsunami had not been expected. Underwater quakes of 30 seconds or more have the potential to cause a tsunami. Since the coastal area of the province of British Columbia is located along the Pacific rim of fire, quakes of any sort should not be a suprise.

The only quake I experienced first-hand was back in London in southwestern Ontario. This was in about the mid-1980s or so. I was working night shift at the time and was getting angry that my sleep was being disturbed by "heavy road equipment" (like catapillar) going down the road. But then I thought at the time, there was no contruction anywhere in the area, so what was happening. The bed frame was banging against the wall. There was this loud noise and shaking as well, like from heavy equipment as mentioned before. My mother, who was alive at the time, had run out of the house. It was over before too long with no damage. I learned later that the quake had been centred in Lake Erie (?) to the south. That one was about 4 Richters or so. So far I have not experienced any earthquakes of any sort on the west coast but I am sure the time is coming.

I am planning to update the links in the right-hand margin soon by adding sources regarding seismic, volcanic and weather related activity. Meantime, are you prepared if a major quake strikes your area?