A magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast on February 21, 2025, at 1:26 p.m., with the epicenter located about 24 kilometers northeast of Sechelt. The tremors were felt across the Lower Mainland, prompting reactions from emergency services and residents alike.
According to Earthquake Canada, the quake struck at a depth of one kilometer. Following the quake, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there was no tsunami threat. Reports flood 1130 NewsRadio have indicated the quake was felt not just on the Sunshine Coast but all the way to Vancouver Island, Burnaby, and beyond.
Emergency Info BC posted on X, stating, “A 5.1-magnitude earthquake hit near Sechelt, on the Sunshine Coast.” The Vancouver School Board reported no injuries and confirmed schools were following their practiced earthquake procedures, indicating the importance of protocol during such emergencies.
Brian Evans, director of communications at Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, noted the event acted as “a real-time reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness and readiness for everyone in Vancouver.” Given the region's seismic activity, which includes around 400 earthquakes annually, preparedness has never been more relevant.
Residents responded to the earthquake with varying degrees of concern. Trent Richardson and his son McCarthy were reportedly relaxing when they received the emergency alert on their smartphones stating, “Earthquake detected! Drop, Cover and Hold on. Protect yourself.” Just moments later, they experienced the shaky reality of the tremor.
Richardson recounted, “He said hey, there’s an emergency warning. I’d say less than 10 seconds later the walls started shaking.” This was the first earthquake experience for both, highlighting the mixed reactions residents had as the quake unfolded.
Meanwhile, Galen Hunt, working at Houle Printing, reported feeling the ground shake: “The lights in our press room were swinging like pendulums.” Some who were outdoors at the time didn’t register the shaking, including two individuals visiting the Alberni Valley News office, who were driving during the tremor.
The event triggered increased call volumes to emergency services, prompting E-Comm, the province’s 911 operator service, to remind residents to reserve 911 for life-threatening emergencies only. BC Emergency Health Services confirmed they were not aware of any emergency calls related to the earthquake.
While no immediate damage reports emerged, officials urged residents to remain vigilant. Jay Lewis, president of Terra Firm Earthquake Preparedness, emphasized the need for readiness: “Now is as good a time as any to prepare.” He suggested having a ‘go bag’ with emergency supplies ready near entrances to buildings.
Officials stated, “aftershocks can be common but unpredictable,” and they urged residents to drop, cover, and hold on during such events. This is particularly relevant for seismic activity as British Columbia is one of Canada’s most seismically active areas, raising awareness about potential risks.
Earthquake protocol varies, with safety advice ranging from staying indoors during tremors to ensuring safe locations if outdoors. Those driving were encouraged to pull over to avoid traffic dangers when the ground starts shaking.
Following the earthquake, operations were paused at various locations, including the Sea to Sky Gondola, which halted uploads of visitors for safety precautions. The District of Squamish noted, “There are no reported damages, but infrastructure inspections are underway.” FortisBC crews also paused tunneling work but confirmed no damages to their pipelines.
Experts like Alison Bird, of Natural Resources Canada, have emphasized the importance of the Canadian National Public Alerting System (NPAS) which aims to warn residents of impending earthquake impacts. “The alert goes out to people based on the seismic waves measured,” she stated, but noted, “those very close to the epicenter might not receive timely alerts.”
Despite the gaps, the warnings did help many prepare for the shaking. Bird explained, “If you’re aware there might be shaking, you can take cover, protecting yourself from falling objects.”
Residents across the region responded to the quake, sharing their experiences on social media as communities came together for support and reassurance. This earthquake served as another reminder of the lurking seismic risk posed by the Pacific Ring of Fire, reaffirming the need for continued public awareness and emergency preparedness.
Beyond the immediate effects of this earthquake, B.C. officials and experts stress the need for enhanced infrastructure readiness and public education on safety protocols during such unpredictable natural events. The shake felt on February 21 is one more chapter of the region’s long relationship with seismic activity.
While no damage or injuries were reported, and life is slowly returning to normal, the tremors from the 5.1-magnitude earthquake near Sechelt are likely to resonate for some time, reminding B.C. residents of Mother Nature’s unpredictable force. Further monitoring and investigation will continue as officials remain on standby for possible aftershocks.