Vancouver Island and Northern British Columbia Experience Earthquakes

Residents of Vancouver Island and northern British Columbia were shaken by two minor earthquakes on Friday, October 4, 2024. The first tremor was reported off the east coast of Vancouver Island, measuring 3.8 in magnitude and occurring at a depth of 57 kilometers, halfway between the island and the mainland. This information was provided by Earthquakes Canada. Despite the early morning upheaval, no tsunami warning was issued, and officials do not expect any damage.

The US Geological Survey noted that the earthquake was felt by people as far north as Parksville and as far south as Sooke. “It felt like a truck hit a curb outside,” described Brindley Smith, a seismic analyst with Natural Resources Canada. “Your whole house might shake, and there’s a loud bang sound.”

Later that morning, a separate 3.5 magnitude earthquake occurred near Tsawwassen, B.C., impacting the Lower Mainland. There were no damage reports from either quake, although residents across the Vancouver area reported feeling the tremors. Originally, Earthquakes Canada had detected the quake’s magnitude as 3.8, but later adjustments revealed a lower magnitude through better modeling. The epicenter was approximately 29 kilometers southwest of Vancouver and 17 kilometers west of Tsawwassen.

Meanwhile, Fort St. John, in northern British Columbia, was impacted by a 4.2 magnitude earthquake around 5 a.m. MT, located about 63 kilometers west of the town. Although there were reports of the quake being felt, no damage was anticipated due to the magnitude.

Smith explained the occurrence of two earthquakes in a single day as a coincidence, stating, “It’s just pure chance, really. It’s just the way seismicity tends to work.” Expectation of larger aftershocks or ‘The Big One’ has been dismissed, with these recent quakes not likely to trigger significant seismic events. CBC Vancouver‘s podcast “Fault Lines” delves into what could happen when a major earthquake predicted for the region finally hits.