Late-Night Quake Startles Parts of the Okanagan
So, let me walk you through what happened in the Okanagan late Thursday night, because a lot of people are still talking about it. Two communities ended up feeling the impact of an unexpected earthquake, and the whole thing unfolded within just a few minutes.
According to Alertable, the Canadian emergency communication service, the first indication came around 11:25 p.m. when a magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported roughly 4 kilometres north of Okanagan Falls. But interestingly, the United States Geological Survey logged a slightly earlier event — a magnitude 3.4 quake at about 11:19 p.m. — centred near the Chute Lake area, about 10 kilometres southeast of Peachland. These two alerts created a bit of confusion at first, but what they made clear was that the ground definitely moved across parts of the region.
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What stood out is that this quake was very shallow, just under 4 kilometres deep. When earthquakes happen that close to the surface, the shaking tends to feel sharper and more noticeable, even if the magnitude itself isn’t severe. And that’s exactly what residents described: sudden jolts, rumbling, and quick bursts of vibration that came and went in just a few seconds.
Dozens of people across the Okanagan reported feeling it — especially in places like West Kelowna, Kelowna, Peachland, and Penticton. Some described it as if a huge truck had crashed into their house. Others said it felt like an explosion nearby or like the ground lifted under them for a moment. Many didn’t realize at first that it was an earthquake at all. Lights shook, windows rattled, and in a few homes, people were startled awake.
Despite how noticeable the shaking was, no significant damage has been reported so far, and that’s important. Events of this magnitude usually don’t cause structural harm, though they can definitely give residents a scare, especially when they happen late at night. The U.S. Geological Survey also clarified that the alert sent out wasn’t an early warning — it was simply a notification once the quake had already occurred.
Authorities reminded residents of the usual safety precautions: stay calm, check for injuries if anyone is hurt, avoid damaged buildings, and be cautious about using fireplaces or furnaces until chimneys are confirmed safe. And while this quake posed no tsunami risk, people in coastal or island areas were reminded that strong shaking itself is often the only warning before a tsunami forms.
For now, the situation is stable, but data is still being reviewed as seismologists refine the details. More updates are expected soon as reports continue to come in.
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