This past Sunday, Earthquakes Canada reported three earthquakes off the coast of Port Hardy. The swarm’s magnitude ranged from 4.3 to 5.9. More than 50 earthquakes have been reported by Earthquakes Canada, off the coast of Northern Vancouver Island since September 14. The biggest reaching a magnitude of 5.9.

The Government of BC notes that Earthquakes are common on our coast, with an average of 3,000 earthquakes reported every year. This occurs because the coast of the province is seismically active, located in a area known as the Cascadia subduction zone. The Cascadia subduction zone stretches from Vancouver Island down to California. This is where the Juan De Fuca Plate and the North American Plate meet. It is when the Juan De Fuca plate slips under the North American Plate that an earthquake can occur and be felt on Vancouver Island. These earthquakes can also cause tsunamis, sending large damaging waves into the coast of the province.

An earthquake could happen at any moment and it is impossible to predict when the next one will happen or how big it will be. The recent quakes in Port Hardy are a good reminder of this and to be prepared if one were to happen. Today I spoke with Jeri Grant over the phone and Teron Moore over Zoom. Both work with the BC Earthquake Alliance on earthquake preparation and how to keep you and your family safe in the event of one.

Find Show Notes and Transcripts here.

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