Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Hits Off Vancouver Island Coast

Summary:
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake was recorded off the west coast of Vancouver Island on Thursday morning at 8:08 a.m., according to Earthquakes Canada. This quake is part of an ongoing swarm of seismic activity at the intersection of the northern Juan de Fuca Ridge, Sovanco Fracture Zone, and Nootka Fault Zone. Despite its magnitude, the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to British Columbia and was felt by few people due to its distance from populated areas.
John Cassidy, a seismologist at Natural Resources Canada, noted that while such large quakes are uncommon, they do occur in the region roughly every decade. The US Geological Survey initially recorded the quake at magnitude 6.6, but figures may adjust as more data comes in. This event is part of a series of seismic activities since July, with similar swarms observed historically, such as in September 2001.
Carmen Ewles from First Aid and Survival Technologies (F.A.S.T.) emphasized the importance of preparedness for natural disasters. She advised residents to maintain emergency kits stocked with essentials like water, light, and heat, and to plan communication strategies in case of disrupted services. Ewles also warned against relying on social media for emergency information, recommending instead the use of old-fashioned AM/FM radios for credible updates.