November 17, 2009
CBC News
Two earthquakes struck off the coast of British Columbia on Tuesday morning, shaking houses and scaring some residents throughout the North Coast region.
Image: The U.S.Geological Survey reported the two quakes struck just off the southern tip of the Queen Charlotte Islands just after 7:30 a.m. PT Tuesday morning. (USGS)
The first quake had a magnitude of 6.6 and was recorded just off the southern tip of Haida Gwaii, also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands, around 7:30 a.m. PT.
It was followed seven minutes later by a second quake with a magnitude of 5.7.
So far there are no reports of any damage, but residents reported the tremors were felt for about 15 to 30 seconds.
Children Scared by Shaking
Skidegate resident Andy Wilson said he was shaving in the bathroom of his home on the Queen Charlotte Islands when his house started shaking.
"So I ran out to make sure the kids were okay.... The TV and the windows and other things were shaking inside the house," he said.
'The little guy was hiding under the blankets,' —Skidegate resident Andy Wilson
They were pretty scared because they had never experienced being in the house when it was like that.... The little guy was hiding under the blankets. I had to reassure him it was just an earthquake. The other one was just kind of stunned sitting there with his older sister." he said.
Wilson said they felt the second quake a few minutes later.
It wasn't the first time Wilson had an earthquake shake his house. About 10 or 15 years ago a similar quake nearly shook his TV onto the floor he said.
Wilson said he will now check his house for damage, particularly around doorways.
On the mainland, Smithers resident Rick Groot said he felt the quake, but it was much milder in his area.
"It was a quiet rumble, but it was noticeable," he said.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/11/17/bc-north-coast-earthquake.html