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Metro Vancouver reacts to feeling 3.6 magnitude earthquake off coast of Vancouver Island

Did you feel it?
Earthquake Dec. 17, 2021
On Friday, Dec. 17 at 4:13 a.m. and at a depth of 17 km below Galiano Island, the rumblings of a 3.6 magnitude earthquake began, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Metro Vancouver residents from North Vancouver to Ladner were shaken awake recently by a small earthquake emanating from a southern gulf island.

On Friday, Dec. 17 at 4:13 a.m. and at a depth of 17 km below Galiano Island, the rumblings of a 3.6 magnitude earthquake began according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake sent shock waves that were felt 50 km away according to reports compiled by volcanodiscovery.com. 

  • North Vancouver: "A few thumps, bed in upstairs bedroom seemed to jump slightly upward. Movement over a couple of seconds."
  • Richmond: "Light shaking, like a large truck passing. Woken up by lightly clanging racing medals that don't usually make noise when a truck passes."
  • Ladner: "One large brief bang… felt like something hit the house."
  • Port Coquitlam: "Our family cat sat and stared at me. Moments later I felt the vibrations, a weak shaking that rattled some dishes and small objects."
  • Langley: "Sitting in car outside Tim Hortons, felt the Taurus sway, like when your waiting at a rail crossing yet no train. Guessed a quake."

Vancouverites also shared what they felt of the quake on social media.

Earthquakes Canada wrote in a statement that there are no reports of damage, and none would be expected. No tsunami warning has been issued.