Introduction

In the wee hours of Friday morning, residents across British Columbia were jolted awake by a significant earthquake that struck the Strait of Georgia, approximately 18 kilometers southwest of Tsawwassen. The quake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 3.8 by Earthquakes Canada, was later adjusted to 3.5, sparking concerns and curiosity among the public, though luckily, there were no reports of damage.

Details of the Quake

At precisely 2:08 a.m., the tremor was felt in a wide swath of the region, stretching from southern Vancouver Island to Metro Vancouver, and even reaching parts of the Fraser Valley and Washington State. John Cassidy, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada based in Victoria, explained that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 65 kilometers within the Juan de Fuca plate—a tectonic plate involved in a subduction zone.

Understanding the Tectonics

“In this area, we have an oceanic plate off the coast of Vancouver Island slowly moving towards us at approximately the same speed your fingernails grow,” Cassidy elaborated. “When it reaches North America, just offshore, it begins to sink beneath Vancouver Island, and continues down beneath the Lower Mainland, as well as parts of Washington and Oregon.”

Frequency of Seismic Events

Interestingly, this isn’t the first shake-up this week; just a day prior, another deep 3.8-magnitude quake was recorded about 17 kilometers northeast of Victoria. Cassidy reassured the public that such seismic events are fairly common in this region. “These small events occur frequently. Each year, we typically observe a dozen or more minor, deep earthquakes in this vicinity. While a 3.8 tremor isn't an everyday occurrence, it’s certainly within the realm of normal,” he stated.

Potential for Larger Quakes

However, Cassidy warned that should an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher occur in a populated area, it could potentially result in significant damage.

Another Earthquake Incident

In a related incident, a separate quake measuring 4.6 struck at 4:09 a.m. that same Friday, about 60 kilometers west of Fort St. John, which also prompted light shaking reports, but no damage was noted.

Importance of Preparedness

“This morning’s quake serves as an important reminder that we live in an active earthquake zone,” Cassidy remarked, urging residents to be proactive. He encouraged everyone to take this opportunity to inspect their earthquake preparedness kits and to participate in upcoming safety drills. “The Great B.C. Shakeout is coming up on October 17—an essential practice for knowing how to drop, cover, and hold on in case of a major earthquake.”

Conclusion

Are you prepared for the next big shake? Don't wait for the ground to tremble again to ensure your safety!