Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

3 minor earthquakes near Port Hardy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Sep, 2023 10:40 AM
  • 3 minor earthquakes near Port Hardy

Three minor earthquakes rattled a seismically active area off British Columbia's coast on Sunday without causing any damages or triggering tsunami activity. 

Earthquakes Canada said a 4.0 magnitude quake was registered around 8:20 a.m. local time. Its epicentre was 185 kilometres west of Port Hardy, north of Vancouver Island.

This followed a 5.5 magnitude quake recorded at 4:30 a.m. and another 4.2 magnitude quake recorded about an hour and a half earlier near the same location.

The agency said it is currently monitoring a swarm of earthquakes far off the coast of northern Vancouver Island. There have been more than 30 temblors since Sept. 14, though none have been felt, with the largest being Sunday's 5.5-magnitude quake. 

Andrew Schaeffer, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada, said seismic activity in that area is "completely common." 

He explained the quakes took place in a region called the Queen Charlotte Triple Junction, where three tectonic plates meet.

"As a result, we get quite a bit of seismicity in this area," Schaeffer said in an interview Sunday. "Sometimes it comes in swarms, sometimes it's just kind of continuous normal background seismicity."

Schaeffer said it is not possible to predict whether more will occur.

"It's not a function of weather or time of year, just sometimes the swarm will happen. Otherwise it's pretty normal for a magnitude 3.0 to pop off every month, at least, in that area and then sometimes we just get these bursts of activity."

There are no reports of any damage from Sunday's quakes and no tsunami is expected, Schaeffer said.

"For us on the west coast, (earthquakes) are just another reminder that we live in an active earthquake zone and let's be prepared."

He suggested people ensure they have an 'earthquake preparedness kit' on hand and formalize a family emergency plan so they are ready in the event of a natural disaster.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

BOC raises interest rate to 5 percent

BOC raises interest rate to 5 percent
The central bank says it raised the rate because of elevated demand in the economy and strong underlying inflation pressures. It is now suggesting it will take longer -- until the middle of 2025 -- to get inflation back to the two per cent target.   

BOC raises interest rate to 5 percent

3D printed guns on the rise

3D printed guns on the rise
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says that although a fully functional firearm cannot be printed, conversion kits that complete 3-D guns can be bought in stores or online. It says anyone with a 3-D printer for their kids or for schools should be aware of the risks.

3D printed guns on the rise

As port workers strike prompts disruptions, study points finger at shipping companies

As port workers strike prompts disruptions, study points finger at shipping companies
About 7,400 members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada in Vancouver have been on strike since July 1. They say they're fighting for protections against contracting out work and automation, as well as pushing for higher wages. The strike, now in its second week, is starting to hit business operations in Canada.

As port workers strike prompts disruptions, study points finger at shipping companies

Crews and Province keep an eye on wildfires

Crews and Province keep an eye on wildfires
Wildfire crews and local governments are keeping a close watch on drought-stricken woodlands across B-C, as more lightning is forecast in many areas. The wildfire service says 318 active fires are currently burning -- most of them in the Northwest and Prince George fire districts where thousands of lightning strikes hit during a recent storm.

Crews and Province keep an eye on wildfires

Ottawa could help health care with better international recruiting, Smith says

Ottawa could help health care with better international recruiting, Smith says
Improving health care is not just a matter of money and transfers from Ottawa to the provinces, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Tuesday. Health care is one of the main topics at the three-day meeting this week. The premiers also met with health worker representatives.

Ottawa could help health care with better international recruiting, Smith says

RCMP search for puppy, Lil Bit, stolen in alleged home invasion in Surrey, B.C.

RCMP search for puppy, Lil Bit, stolen in alleged home invasion in Surrey, B.C.
Police in Surrey, B.C., are appealing for public help to find a puppy that was stolen during an alleged home invasion robbery. They say the six-month-old female miniature pinscher and Shih Tzu cross named Lil Bit was snatched when two people forced their way into a home on 147A Street last month and made off with the residents' belongings.

RCMP search for puppy, Lil Bit, stolen in alleged home invasion in Surrey, B.C.