Canada: Two earthquakes hit near northern British Colombia May 1

Event

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that two earthquakes hit near the border between Yukon, British Colombia, and Alaska. A 6.2-magnitude quake struck around 04:30 (local time) 88 km (55 mi) northwest of Skagway, Alaska. About two hours later, a second 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit in the same area. Several aftershocks have been reported and more are expected to continue throughout the day. Residents in British Colombia, including in Whitehorse, said that the tremors shook houses and knocked objects off of shelves. Yukon Energy confirmed that the quakes caused power outages in some areas. There are no reports of injuries or major material damages and no tsunami warning has been issued.

Context

According to the Geologic Survey of Canada, the earthquakes occurred on the Fairweather Fault. The area experiences regular seismic activity due to the movement of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates.

Advice

Individuals present in the impacted region are advised to monitor the situation, to be prepared for aftershocks, and to heed to any instructions issued by local authorities.

During an earthquake, individuals are advised to protect themselves as much as possible from falling debris if indoors (under a table, under a door frame, in a small bathroom, etc.), to move away from windows, and to not attempt to leave the building unless faced with immediate danger. If outdoors, move away from tall buildings, utility wires, and streetlights.

After an earthquake, check for injuries and take note of your surroundings. If indoors, shut off the water, gas, and electricity lines, and evacuate the area. Aftershocks often follow an earthquake and can lead to further damages and loss of life. Individuals already present in areas affected by the earthquake are advised to follow all instructions issued by local authorities. Only use your telephone in case of urgency so as to leave communication lines open for emergency services.