Magnitude-3.8 Earthquake Shakes Greater Victoria Early This Morning
In the early hours of Thursday, September 26, 2024, residents of Greater Victoria experienced a tremor that left many startled and curious. At approximately 4:05 a.m., a magnitude-3.8 earthquake struck just off the coast near Sidney and D’Arcy Islands, located east of the Saanich Peninsula and about 11 kilometers from Sidney itself. Initially recorded as a magnitude-4.1 by the U.S. Geological Survey, this figure was subsequently revised to 4.0, while Canada’s Earthquakes Canada confirmed the tremor's magnitude at 3.8, noting its depth at around 55 kilometers.
Seismologist John Cassidy from Environment Canada explained that deep earthquakes, like this one, are common but typically less damaging. The reports of the quake varied, with some residents describing a sudden jolt akin to a truck colliding with their homes, while others felt a longer, rumbling sensation that lasted up to ten seconds. For most, it was a brief but memorable experience—one person noted that a few items fell from shelves, while others simply felt a thump or a minor shake.
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The response from the community was swift, with hundreds of people across Greater Victoria, Duncan, Cowichan Lake, and even into parts of Washington State reporting their experiences on social media. Notably, residents as far north as Nanaimo and Parksville felt the tremors. One local, Karin Hedetniemi, recounted how her dog leapt from the bed in alarm as the earthquake rattled her home, while author Jean Paetkau, also felt a significant shake, expressing her surprise on social media.
Interestingly, the Canadian Earthquake Early Warning system, which has been in effect for about a month, is designed to alert residents only for earthquakes measuring 5.0 or higher. Given that today’s quake fell below this threshold, no alerts were triggered. Cassidy emphasized that earthquakes below magnitude 5.0 typically do not cause damage, reassuring the public that there was no immediate threat to safety.
This event serves as a reminder of the seismic activity present in the region. Cassidy pointed out that British Columbia experiences numerous small earthquakes daily, with felt tremors occurring roughly once a month and larger quakes causing damage approximately every decade. In fact, this recent tremor comes just weeks before the Great BC ShakeOut earthquake drill set for October 17 at 10:17 a.m., an event designed to prepare residents for potential earthquakes by practicing safety protocols.
For those wondering how to react during an earthquake, the province's earthquake preparedness guide advises that if you are in bed during a quake, you should stay put and protect your head with a pillow. Most injuries occur when individuals attempt to flee to safety during the shaking.
With this recent seismic activity, now is a good time for residents to review their emergency preparedness plans and consider what actions to take in the event of a larger earthquake. More resources on how to stay safe during quakes can be found through local government websites and the Capital Regional District, ensuring that the community is well-prepared for any future seismic surprises.
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