Endeavour Site Records Highest Level Of Earthquake Activity In 20 Years

Ocean Networks Canada detected up to 200 small earthquakes per hour last week off the coast of Tofino.

That’s the highest rate of earthquakes observed in the region since 2005. Increased earthquake rates have been observed at the site since 2018, with activity on March 6th following several days of increased small earthquake frequency.

Researchers say it could be a sign of an “impending magmatic rupture” - a natural phenomenon that can form a new ocean floor - anywhere from a few weeks from now to a few years.

It happens about every 20 years - the last big eruption happening in 2005.

“We can use earthquake activity to track the level of built-up stress at the Endeavour segment in real-time using seismic data provided by Ocean Networks Canada. More earthquakes mean more stress build-up,” says Zoe Krauss, Marine Seismology Ph.D. student,

“the NEPTUNE observatory dataset has allowed us to observe significant increases in earthquake rates over the last few years.”

”No one should be alarmed about this great swarm of earthquakes.", says Kate Moran, ONC President and CEO.

"They are far offshore and cause no danger. Rather, the data are exciting to the science community and certainly not menacing,”.

They are very excited about the data they’ll be able to collect.