(August 28, 2008) A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck offshore Vancouver Island this morning at 5:37 am. The quake was located approximately 95 miles out to sea and although the possibility of a tsunami has been ruled out the quake is still a significant reminder of the seismically active area that runs along the Pacific Rim of North America. The British Columbia government reported that nobody was harmed.
The earthquake seems to be the climax of what has been a seismically active week in the Vancouver Island area. However, the event cannot help but leave one wondering whether this is indeed the end or a sign of things to come. At 6.1 the earthquake was significant. If the quake had occurred on land near a major metropolitan area damage and harm would have been inevitable.
The Vancouver Island offshore quake is a reminder of the intense seismic activity that occurs all along the Pacific Rim. Some of the United States' largest cities lay near or directly upon this "Rim of Fire" as it is known. Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego are large cities that may be in harms way as the Pacific Rim faults begin to slip and slide.
As an observer, it may appear that the quakes along the Pacific Rim have a tendency to shift from one location to another in an almost clockwise manner. Is San Francisco next? Los Angeles? Only time will tell.
