Two earthquakes rattle off Oregon coast; seismologist says no need to be alarmed

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A busy period of seismic activity in the Pacific Northwest Tuesday isn’t a cause for concern, says a seismologist.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck about 204 kilometres off the Oregon coast, and there was a magnitude-3 shaker east of Seattle.

Natural Resources Canada earthquake seismologist John Cassidy says the activity isn’t alarming.

“These earthquakes, like the one near Seattle, really are a good reminder of the active tectonics and remind us of these much larger earthquakes we’ve seen in the past,” he tells NEWS 1130.

RELATED: Seismic study finds Metro Vancouver buildings could shake more than predicted if ‘Big One’ hits

Cassidy notes the North American plates are slowly being squeezed and stressed.

“They’re on the North American plates, these earthquakes, and there are a lot of faults running through Washington and parts of British Columbia,” he says. “Often, these earthquakes are down 10 or 15 or even 20 kilometres beneath the surface so it’s not always easy to associate them with any specific fault.”

He advises everyone to ensure they are prepared for when the “Big One” eventually hits.

A recent study found some tall Metro Vancouver buildings might shake more than previously thought during the Big One.

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