Third earthquake in three weeks strikes near B.C.

Monday, September 10, 2018, 11:36 AM - A magnitude 3.3 earthquake that struck in the Strait of Juan de Fuca early Sunday morning was felt by residents in Victoria, British Columbia. Although this most recent activity has no relation to the "Big One," this is the third earthquake that's been felt in British Columbia in less than three weeks. Experts say there's always work being done to prepare for the large-scale quake that's predicted to impact the west coast over the next 50 years.

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MAGNITUDE 3.3 QUAKE FELT IN VICTORIA

Sunday's earthquake struck in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, about 30 kilometres southeast of Victoria, B.C. According to Natural Resources Canada, the epicentre was on the Washington side of the border, but was felt by residents in Victoria.

The magnitude 3.3 quake struck at a depth of 23.1 kilometres with light shaking felt when it hit around 5:55 a.m. PT.

LARGE OREGON QUAKE SHAKES B.C.

Back in late August, less than three weeks ago, an offshore earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit about 300 km (188 miles) west of Bandon, Oregon. The quake was recorded at a depth of about 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, was located approximately 600 km to the nearest point in British Columbia.

Data collected from the USGS shows that residents in Vancouver and on southern Vancouver Island reported mildly feeling this earthquake. A 3.5 magnitude aftershock also followed about two hours later on that same day. 

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No immediate tsunami warning was posted and government officials in B.C. also assured no tsunami threat for the province. Officials in the nearest community to the epicenter in Coos Bay, Oregon say there were no reports of damage or injury either.

ANOTHER QUAKE NEAR PORT HARDY, B.C.

On August 21, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island shortly after 6 a.m. According to Natural Resources Canada, this quake was felt by residents located about 200 km away in Port Hardy, B.C. Much like the Oregan quake, it did not trigger any tsunami warnings or cause damage in the area.

THE BIG ONE?

Although nothing came of these particular tremors, people on the west coast of North America, including British Columbia, know they live in a seismically active zone, and that one day, a serious quake will strike. Its' been said that an earthquake measuring a magnitude 9.0 or greater could occur in the next 50 years in British Columbia.

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The government is continually working to apply seismic upgrades across B.C. from school renovations to new construction projects being subject to follow updated quake-resistant requirements.

Read more on how millions of dollars are spent on preparing for the next Canadian 'Big One'.

LOOK BACK (JANUARY): TSUNAMI WARNINGS TRIGGERED IN B.C. AFTER BIG ALASKAN QUAKE

With files from CBC