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2.3-magnitude quake shakes Vancouver Island last night

A 2.3-magnitude earthquake rumbled the West Shore on Tuesday night. Seismologist John Cassidy says it’s a common occurrence, with more than 1,000 earthquakes off Vancouver Island each year.
Seismogram March 6, 2017
A seismogram shows Tuesday night's earthquake.

A 2.3-magnitude earthquake rumbled the West Shore on Tuesday night.

Seismologist John Cassidy says it’s a common occurrence, with more than 1,000 earthquakes off Vancouver Island each year. Most of those are offshore and small, “but the earthquake last night at 2.3 was just at the threshold that if you were close you might feel a slight shake.”

The quake at 10:06 p.m. was centred about 14 kilometres northeast of Sooke, at a depth of 24 kilometres.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured it at a magnitude of 2.3, while Earthquakes Canada said it was 2.4.

People in Victoria, Sooke and Langford reported on social media that they felt it.

“I didn’t feel it, but because it was about 25 kilometres below the surface, even those on top of it just felt mild shaking,” said Cassidy.

Cassidy said it’s a good reminder to residents to be prepared for the eventuality of a large and damaging earthquake.

Quakes such as those Tuesday night are helpful to scientists, as they work to improve upon and gather more data that feeds into improved building codes, for example, as well as hazard models and emergency preparedness.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com