6.4 earthquake hits off Vancouver Island

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vancouver Island at 12:41 p.m. local time according to the United States Geological Survey. 

Originally the earthquake was reported as a 6.7 magnitude quake, but that was quickly revised.

The earthquake was at a depth of 18 km, 50 km south of Port Alice.

Natural Resources Canada says there have been about a dozen aftershocks as of 2:30 p.m. local time, with the largest aftershock measuring magnitude 4.9.

The quake occurred on the Nootka fault line, which separates the Juan de Fuca plate and the Explorer plate. It runs horizontally, and is capable of generating a seduction quake of up to magnitude 9.0.

“This type of earthquake is relatively common, on average we see an earthquake off Vancouver Island like this every 10 years or so,” said John Cassidy of Natural Resources Canada.

Aftershocks are expected to continue for the next several hours.

There is no tsunami warning in effect according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

At the taxi dispatch in Campbell River, someone who answered the phone said the shaking lasted for about 25 seconds, but as a precautionary measure schools and stores were evacuated while the incident was checked out. When things were found to be safe, everyone was allowed back inside.

Global BC Facebook and Twitter followers are saying they felt it in Abbotsford, Pitt Meadows, Campbell River, Squamish, and Richmond, and even as far south as Seattle.

Reuters reports that a slight rattling from the earthquake was felt in Seattle, but police say there are no signs or reports of damage. 

Office workers in downtown Vancouver reported feeling their desks shaking for about 45 seconds, however people in other areas of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley didn’t report feeling anything.

A Global BC employee in Richmond said they lost about 3″ to 4″ of water out of their backyard swimming pool due to the water sloshing from side to side during the shaking.

Lorena and Grant Holomgren in Seal Bay, just north of Courtenay, said their wind-chimes, metal Venetian blinds and chairs all “shivered” for about 30 seconds. It was far bigger than any quake they have felt before, they said.

John Thompson in Powell River said this was the longest earthquake he has felt on the West Coast going back to the 1950s.

He was watching the Noon News Hour on Global BC when he thought there was movement. By the time he and his wife had made it outside their house, the trees were swaying and water was spilling out of the hot tub. He estimated the shaking went on for at least 60 seconds.

The Vancouver Island provincial emergency operations centre was activated and several utility companies and industry on the island also activated their emergency plans, which can result in mandatory inspections of infrastructure by engineers.

Vancouver Island Health Authority reports no injuries or damage in nearby areas.