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Magnitude 5.2 earthquake strikes off the coast of B.C.

No tsunami warning has been issued as a result.
seismograph-bc
Photo: Seismograph / Shutterstock

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of B.C. in the morning on Monday, Dec. 23.

The agency notes that the earthquake was 10 km in depth and was located 166 km west of Port Hardy on Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Island. The event took place at 8:44 a.m. and no tsunami warning has been issued as a result.

6.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the B.C. coast Wednesday, July 3 followed by a second earthquake with a 4.0 magnitude. Following that, three more earthquakes struck off the B.C. coast on Friday, July 5 in the morning that were associated with the July 3 magnitude 6.2 quake near Bella Bella.

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ spoke to Alison Humchitt at the Glen Lyon Inn in Port Hardy, and she explained that none of the staff or guests reported feeling any shaking this morning. 

"I've been here since 4:30 a.m. and I didn't feel anything," said Humchitt. "And no one else said that they felt anything."

According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, a whopping 4,000 earthquakes take place across Canada every year. What’s more, the B.C. coast is the most earthquake-prone region in the country. In fact, there is a minor earthquake almost every day in the Lower Mainland. And while the majority of these earthquakes are hardly felt, certain earthquakes pose a serious threat.

Having a well-stocked earthquake kit, and knowing where it’s stored, is essential. Take into consideration your every day needs, from medication and contact lenses to feminine hygiene products and food and water. Don’t forget your family pets; if you have four-legged friends to feed, be sure you have a plan in mind for getting access to their food in the event of an earthquake.

Find out more information about earthquake prep here.