Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

Two injured in possible road-rage shooting near busy downtown Toronto intersection

Two injured in possible road-rage shooting near busy downtown Toronto intersection
A shooting in downtown Toronto that sent two people to hospital with serious injuries Monday morning could be the result of road rage following street racing, police said as they worked to identify those responsible. Toronto police said they were called to 7 Charles Street West, just one block south of Toronto's busy Yonge and Bloor intersection, just after 6 a.m. for what they described as a drive-by shooting.

Two injured in possible road-rage shooting near busy downtown Toronto intersection

Surrey shooting leaves one dead

Surrey shooting leaves one dead
On Sunday at approximately 5:07 p.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a shooting in an alleyway north of 96 Avenue and 130 Street that has left one man deceased. Police are investigating whether a burnt out vehicle located a short time later in the area of 8200-block of 151A Street is connected to the homicide.  

Surrey shooting leaves one dead

Impasse at strikebound B.C. ports not broken by Saturday's round of negotiations

Impasse at strikebound B.C. ports not broken by Saturday's round of negotiations
Hundreds of supporters showed up to a rally in Vancouver backing striking B-C port workers. Speakers from as far away as Australia and New Zealand offered support for the thousands of workers who have been off the job since Canada Day.

Impasse at strikebound B.C. ports not broken by Saturday's round of negotiations

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed carbon emissions and the strike by B.C. port workers during a brief meeting Friday with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Both leaders were in town for the first day of the Calgary Stampede, a 10-day celebration of western culture that features a parade, rodeo events, pancake breakfasts and concerts. 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds brief meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable
The B.C. RCMP says a former probationary constable at the force's Surrey detachment has been charged with multiple offences after a months-long corruption investigation. Mounties say the ex-constable, Const. Dawwd (Daoud) Soukary, faces 13 charges related to drug trafficking, breach of trust, theft, cannabis distribution and conspiracy to commit robbery.

B.C. RCMP announce corruption, drug trafficking charges against former constable

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations
Canada, the United States and Mexico wrapped up a two-day status report on their shared continental trade agreement Friday as the deal that replaced NAFTA passed its three-year anniversary. There are three more years to go before a required review in 2026 that has the potential to scuttle the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, but International Trade Minister Mary Ng doesn't sound worried. 

U.S. trade envoy presses Canada on digital services tax, home shopping obligations