A magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck early Friday morning in the Strait of Georgia, the second quake in just over a week in Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland. It was centered 18 kilometers west of Delta, with previous quakes recorded on September 26 and a more significant 4.2-magnitude tremor occurring off Vancouver Island. Fortunately, all quakes had minimal impact and were not expected to cause damage.
In the early hours of Friday, a magnitude 3.5 earthquake was recorded in the Strait of Georgia, marking the second seismic event in Greater Victoria and the Lower Mainland within just over a week. The tremor occurred shortly after 2 a.m. and was located approximately 18 kilometers west of Delta and east of Ladysmith at a depth of 65 kilometers. Reports submitted to Earthquakes Canada and the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the shaking was mildly felt, although there were no reports of damages or injuries expected. Interestingly, a 3.8-magnitude quake had earlier shaken the region on September 26, occurring at around 4 a.m. in Haro Strait. This earlier earthquake was centered 11 kilometers east of Sidney and at a depth of nearly 55 kilometers, eliciting sensations felt by numerous individuals as far north as Nanaimo and Parksville, extending southward into Washington state. Moreover, on Wednesday, a more significant seismic activity with a magnitude of 4.2 struck off the west coast of Vancouver Island, continuing a trend of recent seismic activity in southwestern British Columbia over the past month. Notably, given the depth and location of these seismic events, they were not anticipated to result in any major impacts.
Earthquakes are common occurrences in many parts of the world, including the southwestern regions of British Columbia. The area is seismically active due to the complex geological interactions, particularly along the Pacific Rim. The most recent earthquakes, including those recorded in the Strait of Georgia, Haro Strait, and off the west coast of Vancouver Island, demonstrate the ongoing seismic activity in this region. Understanding the frequency and nature of these events is essential for public awareness and preparedness for potential future quakes, especially considering the varying magnitudes and their respective impacts.
In summary, the recent seismic activity in the Strait of Georgia and surrounding areas underscores the persistent nature of geological movements in southwestern British Columbia. The magnitude 3.5 quake recorded on Friday, along with earlier seismic events, reflects the region’s geological characteristics. Fortunately, these quakes have been lightly felt with no expected damages, indicating preparedness measures have been effective in mitigating the immediate impact of such occurrences.
Original Source: www.newwestrecord.ca
