Listen to this article
Estimated 2 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
A minor earthquake was recorded off the coast of Haida Gwaii Tuesday afternoon, and was lightly felt in several communities.
The earthquake struck around 1:35 p.m. PT at a depth of nearly 10 kilometres, Earthquakes Canada said, and had a magnitude of 4.0.
Earthquakes Canada said the quake hit about 31 kilometres from Daajing Giids, a community on the southern end of Graham Island.
Residents took to community Facebook pages to report the quake, with some feeling a “thump” or light shaking, and others hearing only rattling, but not feeling it at all.
“I felt the rumble and the sound and I thought it was someone playing a trick, like running up the stairs really, really fast and smashing their feet,” Sandspit resident Robin Botel told CBC News.
“It was pretty loud. Then I noticed everything was just kind of shaking. I looked behind me because I thought maybe someone was going to be there.”
Botel said she and a co-worker were on a video call with their manager, who told them their faces were shaking on screen.
There were no reports of damage, and no tsunami is expected, Earthquakes Canada said.
Tuesday’s earthquake came after a 4.1 magnitude quake struck off the west coast of Haida Gwaii, about 52 kilometres from Daajing Giids, on Sunday. Botel felt both quakes.
“I was just laying there silently with my dogs, so no music or anything on, and I have an old house, it’s kind of rattle-y,” she said.
“I was up on the second floor, and it just felt like someone just took me and gave me a shake,” she added.
The agency says earthquakes between a magnitude of 3.5 and 5.4 are often felt, but rarely cause damage.
“I hope we don’t get any more, and I don’t want a tsunami,” said Botel.