An earthquake measured at magnitude 4.5 was felt in Greater Victoria on Sunday night. People reported their buildings shaking slightly for a few seconds at 7:21 p.m. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake was at a depth of 55.7 km about 65.3 kilometres southeast of Victoria in Washington state, near Marrowstone, at 48.025°N and 122.721°W. There were no immediate reports of damage and none would be expected, Earthquakes Canada said on its website. It said the earthquake was "lightly felt in Victoria." No tsunami warning or advisory was issued.
People posting on social media variously said they felt a jolt or a light shaking for a few seconds. A person who said they were near the epicentre reported feeling four sharp jolts. Another post from Washington state offered some humour: "Woodinville felt a jolt. Thought it was the cat shaking his head but husband felt it too." Others said they heard their building creak but didn't immediately equate it with an earthquake.
Government of B.C.'s "Get prepared for an earthquake" website. The earthquake safety slogan: "Drop, cover and hold on." If you feel the ground shaking, drop to hands and knees, cover head and neck with arm, shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture, hold on to your shelter while covering head and neck with arm until shaking stops. If covering is not available, crawl to the nearest interior corner or wall, stay on the ground, continue to protect your head and neck.
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