On March 3, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Orcas, Washington, felt by residents across southern B.C. The quake, occurring at about 5 a.m., registered with no tsunami warning issued. Reports indicated widespread sensation, with 8,000 individuals acknowledging the tremor soon after it occurred. This earthquake follows a previous one experienced on February 21, highlighting active seismic conditions in the region.
Residents in the Victoria area of the northwest US experienced a 4.5 magnitude earthquake at approximately 5 a.m. on March 3. The quake’s epicenter was located about 10 kilometers off Orcas, Washington, and was recorded by the US Geological Survey. The quake occurred at a depth of 16.6 meters, approximately 42 kilometers east of Sidney, and was felt broadly across the south coast of British Columbia.
No tsunami watch or warning was issued following the earthquake. Patricia Moe, a Tsawwassen resident, described feeling a swaying motion from side to side, reminiscent of previous quakes. She noted the sensation prompted her to take cover under her sturdy dining table as a precaution.
The magnitude was adjusted by Earthquakes Canada to 4.1, with the quake’s effects being felt as far north as North Vancouver and Parksville, and southdown to Everett, Washington, and Olympic Provincial Park. The Earthquake Early Warning system did not issue alerts for this event due to the low anticipated harm associated with the earthquake’s magnitude and intensity.
Reports of the quake were prevalent, with around 8,000 individuals notifying the US Geological Survey within two hours after it occurred. The affected area spanned from Powell River to the Fraser Valley and Ucluelet in the west, extending south towards Aberdeen, Washington. Notably, this was the second quake experienced in southern British Columbia in just over two weeks.
On February 21, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake was reported near Sunshine Coast at around 1:30 p.m. Despite its depth of one kilometer located 24 kilometers northeast of Sechelt, no damage was reported. In that instance, some B.C. residents received alerts on their cellphones from Natural Resources Canada, indicating an earthquake had been detected.
The recent 4.5-magnitude earthquake off Orcas, Washington, serves as a reminder of the seismic activity in the northwest US and southern B.C. Despite extensive reports from residents, authorities confirmed the event did not warrant a tsunami warning or public alert due to its low intensity. This incident follows a similar quake felt by residents just weeks prior, indicating ongoing tectonic activity in the region.
Original Source: www.kelownacapnews.com
