Seismologists are warning Haida Gwaii residents to brace for aftershocks that could last for days after an earthquake rattled the shores of the remote archipelago on Tuesday.
A magnitude 6.2 earthquake was detected at 1:19 p.m. about 100 kilometres south of Haida Gwaii, between the island chain and Vancouver Island. Two aftershocks registering magnitudes of 4.5 and 4.9 were detected at 2:05 p.m. and 2:25 p.m., respectively.
A statement issued by Natural Resources Canada said there were no reports of damage and the earthquake, which was shallow, wasn’t felt by residents.
While an offshore earthquake of magnitude 6.2 may cause tremors, it is not as dangerous as the public might think, said Honn Kao, a seismologist with Natural Resources Canada.
“For these kinds of events, especially magnitude 6.0 and the area, it is not actually possible to generate any damage by a tsunami,” Kao said. “It’s hard to cause any particular damage with an earthquake of this size.”
Tsunamis are typically caused by earthquakes magnitude 7.5 and higher.
Kao expects aftershocks to occur in the region for the next couple of days.
The region, known as Explorer Ridge, generates regular seismic activity. It has had six moderate earthquakes this summer.
“It’s a perfect reminder that we live in a very seismically active region and we should be well prepared,” Kao said.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake was also recorded Tuesday afternoon off Alaska’s remote Aleutian Island region, where a 7.0 quake hit last week. The Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said there was no danger of a tsunami.
— With files from AP
