B.C.'s 4.7-magnitude earthquake a reminder to be prepared, say experts and officials
CBC
Experts and officials are saying Friday's 4.7 magnitude earthquake, felt across southwest B.C., is a wake-up call that British Columbians need to be prepared for an emergency situation.
The quake occurred at 1:26 p.m. off B.C.'s Sunshine Coast Friday afternoon at a depth of about 1 kilometre. Officials say no structural damage or injuries were reported.
Friday's quake is a reminder that many people aren't prepared for a large earthquake, said Sheri Molnar, a geologist who leads the Metro Vancouver Seismic Microzonation Project.
"We're not ready for a very strong earthquake and we're not ready for an earthquake that would cause damage," Molnar told CBC's On The Coast on Friday.
Through the seismic zoning project Molnar and a team of researchers have been mapping and identifying areas in the Lower Mainland that are more prone to earthquake hazards. Their work, which tracks shaking, liquefaction and landslide hazards is available for free online.
Earthquakes that are felt widely across the Lower Mainland have historically happened about once a decade, she said.
But the region is in a tectonic plate margin, and quakes of any size can happen at any moment, Molnar said.
"You should always be ready for an earthquake."
Naomi Yamamoto, president of the B.C. Earthquake Alliance said the first thing a person should do if they are indoors during an earthquake is to drop, cover their head while taking shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on.
It's also important to stay away from exterior walls where there are windows that can shatter, she said.
Despite what many have said in the past, Yamamoto said it is not safe to be under a door frame during an earthquake.
"That's really important that we dispel that myth that you are safe in the door frame," she said.
Importantly, Yamamoto said people should have an earthquake kit in their home and a grab-and-go bag ready.
An at home earthquake kit should have a supply of water and food for 1-2 weeks.
Those with a stake in Canada's arts sector don't think Alberta is getting an equitable share of national arts funding.
A family in Stephenville, N.L., have found a way to bond in the gym as they train and compete in powerlifting competitions.
A pair of B.C. Interior Pride societies are moving their celebrations earlier in the year after several summers of wildfire smoke and extreme heat have forced postponements and even cancellations of highly anticipated Pride week events.
The Cochrane District Services Board will turn the old Ramada Inn in Timmins into a seniors housing complex – now that the province has overlooked the city for funding for a Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) hub.
Cape Breton Regional Police say one person is dead after an early morning shooting in Whitney Pier, N.S., but have not disclosed the age or gender of the victim.
Canada's top court has been asked to review a lower court decision in a lawsuit alleging mothers at the Moncton Hospital were given a labour-inducing drug without their consent.
Leonora Indira King's death on Dec. 21, 2024, was sudden and unexpected. The Parc-Extension community worker had been in and out of the hospital for weeks, yet her positivity was contagious.
A delay in opening the winter road has left people living in Pukatawagan unable to drive out of the isolated northern Manitoba community.
From the abolition of slavery to the modern civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements, Black leaders have long fought against systemic injustice.
The Brantford-Brant riding encompasses a large rural and urban region that the Progressive Conservatives have won in the last two provincial elections.
A blogger in Thunder Bay, Ont., has been ordered by Ontario's Superior Court of Justice to pay $380,000 in damages, after making Facebook posts in 2022 accusing drag performers of grooming children.
When Jasper burned, the whole country felt it.
As violence spreads across eastern Congo, members of Toronto's Congolese community say they're frustrated by Canada's lack of awareness and response to the crisis.