Shaking felt across southwest B.C. after 4.7-magnitude earthquake hits coast
CBC
A minor earthquake struck B.C.'s Sunshine Coast on Friday, shaking homes and prompting a number of emergency alerts across the Lower Mainland but stopping short of any major damage.
The 4.7-magnitude earthquake hit near the seaside community of Sechelt just before 1:30 p.m. PT, according to Earthquakes Canada.
Despite being widely felt from Vancouver Island to Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, officials said nobody reported any injuries or structural issues aside from some cracking drywall or burst pipes.
A number of people said it was the most prominent earthquake they'd experienced in some time.
"I heard a loud boom, I felt the house shake," said Jackie Graham, who lives on the banks of the Puntledge River in Courtenay, a Vancouver Island city to the west of Sechelt.
"My first thought was that a tree had fallen on the house."
Earthquakes Canada initially recorded the magnitude as high as 5.4 but revised the measurement to a lower 4.7 around 5 p.m. PT— which means it is classified as a minor event.
Adults at work and children in schools said they jumped under their desks once they realized the ground was shaking, as they'd practised in earthquake drills. Others grabbed their pets and wallets before running outside.
The manager of an IGA grocery store in Sechelt said staff and customers hustled out of the building.
"In the past, we've had someone drive into the mall, and it was a similar feeling, but it slowly increased. And it lasted what felt like, yeah, 10 to 20 seconds," Derek Bland told CBC News. "So everyone kind of shuffled to the front door frame and made their way out, went to our muster station in the middle of the parking lot."
B.C. Ferries briefly evacuated and inspected its Horseshoe Bay terminal in West Vancouver, which is a major link between the mainland, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
"Inspections have now been completed, and customers and staff are returning to the terminal. Safety is always our top priority, and we appreciate everyone's patience during this process," read a statement, which warned some sailings might be delayed.
Shaking was felt as far east as Peachland, in B.C.'s Okanagan, and down to parts of Washington state.
It triggered the Canadian Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system, which gives people a few extra moments' notice before strong shaking hits their area. It's an alert sent to local cell towers, radios and TVs automatically, so it should reach locals and visitors as long as they're in the zone — no need to sign up.
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