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Earthquake lightly felt in Penticton and OK Falls

Earthquakes Canada reports a 1.8 magnitude quake was recorded at 3:41 a.m. on Oct. 13, nine kilometres southwest of Penticton
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Earthquakes Canada reported a small earthquake centred southwest of Penticton in the early hours of Oct. 13.

The latest earthquake in Penticton was likely too small to be felt by most people, nor was it likely to shake anyone out of bed when it hit early this morning.

According to Earthquakes Canada, a 1.8 magnitude quake was recorded at 3:41 a.m. on Oct. 13, nine kilometres southwest of Penticton.  They report the quake was lightly felt in Okanagan Falls and Penticton, and no damage has been reported.

But the small quake serves as a timely reminder for the Great B.C. Shakeout, coming up on Oct. 20. At 10:20 a.m., B.C. residents will be joining millions of people in countries around the globe in practicing how to drop, cover, and hold on.

B.C. is located in a seismically active region where a few thousand earthquakes occur each year in and adjacent to the province. Not all are as small as the minor quake this morning. Last month, a magnitude 4.2 quake sent shivers through the South Okanagan, and from 1985 through 2015, there have been 300 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or higher felt in Canada.

The threat of a major earthquake in the province is real and all residents should be prepared, according to Shakeout organizers. They encourage everyone to join in and practice three simple steps on Oct. 20.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On: drop to the ground, take cover under a table or desk, and hold on to it as if a major earthquake were happening (stay down for at least 60 seconds).

While still under the table, or wherever you are, look around and imagine what would happen in a major earthquake. What would fall on you or others? What would be damaged? What would life be like after?

Finally, you can practice what you will do after the shaking stops.

More information on how to participate and register for the Great B.C. Shakeout is available online at shakeoutbc.ca.