Offshore earthquake rumbles west of northern Vancouver Island – Straight.com

A moderate earthquake hit a seismically active region offshore from the northern end of Vancouver Island tonight.

The temblor hit at 7:14 p.m. today (May 22).

Earthquakes Canada reported it as a 4.9-magnitude quake at a depth of eight kilometres (five miles) while the U.S. Geological Survey measured it as 5.2-magnitude seismic event at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles).

The epicentre was located 151 kilometres (94 miles) west of Port Hardy, 296 kilometres (183 miles) northwest of Tofino, 308 kilometres (191 miles) west of Campbell River, and 460 kilometres (285 miles) northwest of Vancouver.

According to Earthquakes Canada, there werent any reports of damage and none are expected. A tsunami warning also wasnt issued.

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake had taken place in the same area on May 2 whilea 4.5-magnitude quake on May 9 ocurredoff the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Meanwhile in other earthquake news from North Americas West Coast, a 6.1-magnitude offshore quake shook the Gulf of California off Mexico today at 1:46 a.m. (B.C. time).

Yesterday, Nevada declared a state of emergency after over 500 quakes rattled the western portion of the state in the wake of a 6.5-magnitude quake that struck on May 15, which damaged three highways, including a major route between Las Vegas and Reno.

On May 20, a series of four earthquakes, ranging from 3.0- to 4.6-magnitude, occurrednear the Gulf of Alaska.

Scientists are warning that a melting glacier could trigger a landslide in Prince William Sound in Alaska, which could in turn trigger a major tsunami that they believe is likely to occur this year but could happen anytime within the next 20 years.

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Offshore earthquake rumbles west of northern Vancouver Island - Straight.com