According to Earthquakes Canada, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck off the coast of BC this afternoon.
The department notes that the earthquake was 10 kilometres in depth and located 215 kilometres west of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island. It happened at 12:20 pm and no tsunami warning has been issued as a result.
There are no reports of damage and none are expected.
Last month, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake was the sixth quake to strike off the coast of BC following a 4.9 magnitude earthquake that took place earlier that day. Prior to that, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck after a 5.7 and a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. The first was a 5.2 magnitude earthquake just before 9 am.
According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, a whopping 4,000 earthquakes take place across Canada every year. What’s more, the BC coast is the most earthquake-prone region in the country. In fact, there is a minor earthquake almost every day in the Lower Mainland. And while the majority of these earthquakes are hardly felt, certain earthquakes pose a serious threat.
Having a well-stocked earthquake kit, and knowing where it’s stored, is essential. Take into consideration your everyday needs, from medication and contact lenses to feminine hygiene products, food and water.
Don’t forget family pets; if you have four-legged friends to feed, be sure to have a plan in mind for getting access to their food in the event of an earthquake.
