A strong earthquake hit off the north coast of Vancouver Island Monday morning, but because of the remote location, there were no reports of it being felt.
The 4.6-magnitude quake at 10:35 a.m. was centred about 190 kilometres northwest of Port Hardy between the northern tip of Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, about five kilometres deep.
It wasn’t strong enough to cause a tsunami warning, said John Cassidy, a spokesman for Earthquakes Canada.
“Even at 4.6, if it had been closer to a city, it certainly would have been felt … there would have been strong shaking,” said Cassidy. “But it was far enough away that only the fish and crabs would have felt it.”
Cassidy said the area between the Island and Haida Gwaii is the most active earthquake region in Canada, with about six quakes a year of this magnitude, and nearly 150 of similar magnitude over the past three decades.
“It’s a good reminder we live in an active earthquake area where tectonic plates are moving anywhere between two and six centimetres a year,” he said. “That’s about the speed that your fingernails grow, but it’s a good reminder for all of us to be prepared.”
Cassidy said households should discuss emergency plans for an earthquake, and prepare supplies that can sustain them for several weeks.
