Kelowna, British Columbia – A magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck early Saturday morning about 33 kilometers west of Okanagan Falls, sending light tremors across parts of British Columbia’s interior just after 4:30 a.m. local time.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake occurred at a depth of 7.0 kilometers and was recorded at 4:38 a.m. PDT. The epicenter lies in a sparsely populated area between Okanagan Falls and the Cascade Mountains, but at least 18 people submitted “Did You Feel It?” reports indicating mild shaking.
Communities near Penticton, Summerland, and Keremeos may have experienced light vibrations, but no damage or injuries have been reported. The ShakeMap registered an intensity of III, consistent with weak shaking typically not strong enough to cause structural harm.
Local authorities and Emergency Management BC have not issued any warnings but recommend that residents in seismically active regions review their emergency preparedness kits and plans. Though minor, this quake is a reminder of the region’s seismic potential along the western North American plate boundary.
The USGS and Natural Resources Canada continue to monitor the area. No aftershocks have been reported as of Saturday morning.
