4.7* temblor hits north east of Sechelt
An earthquake centred 24 kilometres north-east of Sechelt shook homes throughout the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island this afternoon, just before 1:30 p.m.
Reports of its magnitude of the earthquake vary. Earthquakes Canada reported the shaker at 5.1 local magnitude (ML), while the U.S. Geological Survey, which measures seismic events in the United States, clocked the event in at 4.8 on the Richter Scale. (ML is equivalent to the scale invented by Charles Richter back in 1936.) Earthquakes Canada later revised the magnitude down to 4.7.
No damage has been reported across the region.
This earthquake was larger and closer to the Village than the one felt before breakfast last September, that was centred in the Saanich peninsula. The epicentre of this quake was much closer to Lions Bay than to the rest of the Lower Mainland, but Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell confirmed this afternoon that he had not received any reports of issues associated with the tremor.
A contractor currently working at Battani Creek indicated that he "has not observed anything of concern," Blackwell added.
As the cleanup continues in the aftermath of December's deadly slide, people continue to report feeling unsettled. A number of Lions Bay residents checking in with The Watershed and on social media after the quake this afternoon said that their initial reactions were that another slide had taken place.
Emergency Support Services manager Mary Brown is looking for ways to channel that nervous energy. "We would all be wise to think and re-think our reactions to the sizeable shake and the deep rumbling noise that accompanied it," she said this afternoon.
"How did you react? Was your entire family together or scattered across the Lower Mainland? Do you have a family contact plan? What is the state of your Grab 'n Go bags?"
Brown noted that this was a relatively small event that didn't result in any damage in the Village, but said "it is a very good prod to get your emergency preparedness house in order."
Earthquake preparedness information is available from the province of BC, and more tips for preparing your house and family for earthquakes can be found HERE. Information about the possibility of aftershocks can be found HERE.
*Editor's Note: Magnitude was revised down from 5.1 to 4.7 late Friday afternoon.
Did YOU feel the quake? Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca
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