Magnitude 4.7 Quake Rattles Homes, Prompts Structural Inspections
A strong earthquake sent tremors across British Columbia’s South Coast on Friday afternoon, shaking homes and high-rises from Vancouver to Vancouver Island. Seismologists warn that aftershocks could continue for days.
The quake, originally estimated at magnitude 5.1, has been revised to magnitude 4.7. It struck shortly before 1:30 PM, with its epicenter located in a remote area of the Sunshine Coast, approximately 27 kilometres northeast of Sechelt. Experts at Natural Resources Canada say the quake occurred at a shallow depth of just one kilometre, making it one of the strongest land-based earthquakes in the region in years.
According to earthquake seismologist John Cassidy, while offshore quakes are more frequent, it has been at least a decade since an earthquake of this magnitude struck beneath land in the region.
“We have them offshore all the time,” Cassidy said. “But this was shallow, making it much more widely felt.”
Residents across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island reported feeling their homes shake or sway, with some high-rise dwellers experiencing more intense movement.
Shallow earthquakes like this one tend to produce stronger shaking than deeper ones, such as the earthquake that hit off the coast of Victoria last week at 39 kilometres depth. They are also more likely to trigger aftershocks, according to Cassidy.
“They might continue for days or even a week,” he warned. “It’s very common to see aftershocks following a shallow earthquake in our region.”
In the aftermath of the quake, the City of Vancouver conducted an immediate inspection of its bridges with the help of structural engineers.
Meanwhile, BC Ferries temporarily suspended service at the Horseshoe Bay and Langdale terminals for infrastructure inspections before resuming operations later in the day.
Despite the strength of the tremor, officials have confirmed that no structural damage has been reported and no tsunami warning has been issued.
Many British Columbians felt the quake before receiving any official warning.
Other residents across B.C. also reported receiving the alert late or not at all, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the province’s emergency notification system.
“Something might not be working,” Forbes said.
While no injuries or property damage have been reported, the earthquake left many people rattled, including Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh.
“Very unnerving to feel that earthquake while in an older office building,” Bligh wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Every small seismic event is a reminder to get prepared.”
Seismologists say aftershocks remain likely in the coming days, urging residents to remain alert and review their emergency preparedness plans.