A moderate earthquake shook southwestern British Columbia, on Canada’s Pacific Coast, late Tuesday night waking up thousands of terrified residents but causing no damage.
Earthquakes Canada measured it at 4.3 ML, while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported M 4.8.
The quake, which struck at 11:39 p.m. PT., was centred about 19 kilometres north-northeast of Victoria. The seismic activity was reportedly 42 kilometres deep.
“It felt like a truck had crashed into my building, except there was no noise (other than rattling of objects),” wrote one commenter on the CBC website. “It was very brief, but intense. I’ve felt quakes before, but they lasted longer and were more subtle. This was more like a quick ‘shove.’”
Another person added: “Definitely felt it, I was dozing off on my couch when the living room window began rattling strongly, I felt the shaking through my whole body but mainly my back. I knew right away that it was an earthquake,”.
Natural Resources Canada seismologist John Cassidy, who lives in Victoria, told CBC News he felt “a pretty big shake” for about 10 seconds.
“It’s the largest earthquake in this region in many years,” said Cassidy. “Earthquakes are a lot more common around the world than we might think … it’s not really an unusual earthquake.”
About 1,000 similar “light to moderate” quakes felt globally every month, Cassidy told CBC News.
“There is no pattern in this region for precursors to a larger earthquake, so this doesn’t really tell us anything about when a larger earthquake may occur in the future,” said Cassidy. “But it’s very clearly is a good reminder of the seismicity in this region, that we live in a very active earthquake zone.”
Officials in B.C. said although no damages had been reported in the province, the quake served as a reminder to have an emergency kit with extra water, food and supplies, and a plan to reconnect with family and loved ones.
“I will be undertaking a review of my emergency kit and buying the car kit, which I have been putting off,” Polly Vaughan commented on CBC News website.
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