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Update: No tsunami risk for BC after 7.7 magnitude earthquake off Haida Gwaii

Earthquake location map from Natural Resources Canada.

After a strong earthquake struck near Haida Gwaii in Northern BC, Emergency Info BC has cancelled a tsunami advisory that included almost all of the western BC coast, including parts of Victoria and Saanich, zones A,B,C and D. The areas advised to be on guard were:

ZONE A: The North Coast and Haida Gwaii
ZONE B: The Central Coast including: Bella Coola, Bella Bella, Shearwater.
ZONE C
: The outer West Coast of Vancouver Island from Cape Scott to Port Renfrew
ZONE D: The Juan de Fuca Strait from Jordan River to Greater Victoria, including the Saanich Peninsula

Emergency Info BC had also notified people that a tsunami warning is in effect for north Vancouver Island, asking people in a low coastal area to "move inland right away". 

7.7 magnitude earthquake sent tsunami advisories as far as Hawaii

This is following a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck near the BC coastal community of Haida Gwaii Saturday night at 8:04 pm PT, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Environment Canada and the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for the area from the northern tip of Vancouver Island to Cape Decision, Alaska. Tsunami advisories were reported all down the U.S. coast as far as Hawaii.

Haida Gwaii residents, such as Daniel Cross and his wife Yvette Adams of the Haida Gwaii Art Shop and their children, temporarily evacuated after the earthquake struck. 

"I'm back home now from my mountain top retreat in Skidegate -- no injuries or damage," he wrote around midnight. 

Areas affected by the earthquake according to Earthquakes Canada:

  1. 139km (86mi) South of Masset, Canada
  2. 202km (126mi) South-South West of Prince Rupert, Canada
  3. 293km (182mi) South West of Terrace, Canada
  4. 556km (345mi) North West of Campbell River, Canada
  5. 635km (395mi) South South East of Juneau, Alaska

Earthquakes Canada reported a 4.6 magnitude aftershock in the Queen Charlotte region at 8:52 pm PT.

This earthquake is said to be the strongest in the region since August 1949.


Monitor @EmergencyInfoBC and the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center for regular online updates.

 

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