Shallow M6.3 earthquake hits off the coast of Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada at 03:36 UTC on December 25, 2019 (18:36 LT, December 24). The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Earthquakes Canada is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles).
The epicenter was located 334.3 km (207.3 miles) WNW of Tofino and 344.5 km (213.6 miles) W of Campbell River, Canada.
There are no people living within 100 km (62 miles).
17 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
Earthquakes off the coast of Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada (7 days to December 25, 2019). Data source: USGS. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building type is low-rise reinforced/confined masonry construction.
This is the 5th M6+ earthquake in the world and the 3rd in this region since 19:39 UTC on December 23.
A strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hit off the coast of Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada at 19:49 UTC on December 23, 2019, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Earthquakes Canada reported it as M5.8 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles), preceded by M5.1 and M5.6 at 16:44 and 19:13 UTC, respectively, and followed by M6.0 at 20:56 and M4.8 at 23:38 UTC.
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit northern Argentina at 16:43 UTC (13:43 local time) on December 24, 2019, at a depth of 560 km (347 miles).
A strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hit Colombia at 19:03 UTC (14:03 LT) on December 24, 2019, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Regional seismicity
The strongest earthquakes in this region are M7.4 on June 24, 1970, M7.3 on June 23, 1946, and M7.1 on April 13, 1949.
Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM
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