Shaking reported after moderate earthquake strikes off Vancouver Island
There were no damage reports and no tsunami threat following the 5.5-magnitude tremor off the coast of Vancouver Island on Friday night
A moderate earthquake was recorded off the B.C. coast on Friday night, with light shaking reported, but it did not cause any damage or pose a tsunami threat.
The shallow, 5.5-magnitude tremor occurred at 9:49 p.m. PDT on July 31 at a depth of 10 kilometres, approximately 181 kilometres southwest of Port Hardy, according to Earthquakes Canada.
The tremor was of similar magnitude and geographical location as an earthquake that occurred on July 19.
Shaking was reported from Friday's earthquake, including accounts from people as far away as Everett, Wash.
The 5.5.-magnitude event was caused a mainly sideways movement along a near-vertical fault.
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B.C. is prone to earthquakes, a reminder to be prepared
While this earthquake was moderate, it serves as a reminder for British Columbians to be prepared for emergency situations. The Pacific Coast is the most earthquake-prone region of Canada, and seismologists with the Geological Survey of Canada record and locate more than 1,000 earthquakes in Western Canada each year.
While technological advances make it easier to detect the size or location of a potential earthquake, it's still unclear when the next big one will arrive.
What to do in an earthquake?
In a previous interview with The Weather Network, 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.
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How to prepare ahead of time?
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.
A grab-and-go bag is something smaller that shouldn't be too heavy. Yamamoto said it should include items such as protein bars, water, batteries, a hand crank flashlight, a small first aid kit, and cash.
Additionally, households should develop a plan ahead of time that includes a post-quake meeting point, officials advise.
More information on how to prepare for an earthquake is available on the Prepared B.C. website.
With files from Tyler Hamilton, a meteorologist at The Weather Network.