Natural disaster on Vancouver Island felt throughout Fraser Valley and beyond

“It’s the kind of shaking that’s definitely stronger than a truck driving by”, said Honn Kao, an quake seismologist with Geological Survey of Canada.

Geophysicist John Cassidy with the Sidney, B.C.-based Geological Survey of Canada noted the quake was between 50 and 60 kilometres below the southeast coast of Vancouver Island.

Most earthquakes in the area have historically been grouped north and northwest of town, according to Michael Stickney, director of the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology’s Earthquake Studies Office.

The epicenter of Tuesday’s quake was located just outside a previously implemented “cutback zone”, where disposal well operators were directed in July to reduce the amount of volume they inject, Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesman Matt Skinner said.

No injuries were immediately reported, but the quake knocked out power to about 4,400 homes and businesses; electricity was restored quickly, Edmond spokesman Casey Moore said. It was most strongly felt in San Bernardino County.

Shaking was reported in Greater Victoria and as far away as Nanaimo and parts of Metro Vancouver.

Translink tweeted that the Expo and Millennium SkyTrain were shutting down for the time being until safety could be confirmed.

Hundreds of calls reportedly poured in to 911 from frightened people asking about or reporting the quake, prompting officials to remind them not to call unless it’s an immediate emergency. That tremor was also over a magnitude of 4.0 and woke may residents out of their sleep.

That includes things like communicating with your family about what to do in an natural disaster, knowing your escape routes and meet-up points, and having a kit to last at least 72 hours. Skinner said the agency’s oil and gas division is asking the commission to order the company to comply in an application that will be presented early next month.