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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

The October sun is helping the Pampas grass to bloom on southern #VancouverIsland. 🌱🇨🇦

Photo of pampas grass blooming in the October sun. Blue skies, green hedge and trees, and many white pampas plumes.

John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Thanks. Yes, cutting the lawn would be enough to miss this... almost all of the felt reports (even nearby) are weak shaking, so easier to feel if you are sitting quietly in a chair. Enjoy your freshly cut lawn!

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Did you feel shaking in the #PugetSound region of #WA state at 2:05 p.m. PT today? That was a M4.2 #earthquake located ~40 km SW of Seattle. 1000's of people felt shaking, some as far away as Victoria and Vancouver in the north, and Portland in the south USGS: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/... ⚒️🧪

Seismograms showing ground shaking from the September 29, 2026 M4.2 earthquake near Seattle and Tacoma, WA.

Map from the USGS showing felt shaking reports received for the M4.2 earthquake near Seattle and Tacoma on September 29 at 2:05 p.m. Some people felt shaking as far away as Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland, Oregon.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A trio of earthquakes (M4.9-5.4) struck ~120 km off northern Vancouver Island during the past 18 hours. These were too far offshore to have any impacts - but good reminders that this is an active earthquake zone. Details: www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/index-en.php ShakeOutBC www.shakeoutbc.ca ⚒️🧪

Seismogram showing the three M4.9-5.4 earthquakes (during the past 18 hours) located ~120 km west of northern Vancouver Island. Several smaller earthquakes can be seen as well. This 24-hour plot is from the Earthscope Consortium website.

A map showing the tectonic plates offshore of Vancouver Island as well as the location of the three M4.9-5.4 earthquakes that have occurred during the past 18 hours.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Thanks, Peter! I always use “floatplane”… not sure what happened today

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Thanks. One of those lucky coincidences!

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

From above and below… I took a photo of the seaplane that my son was flying on today as he passed over our house… at the same time he was looking down and taking a photo of our house from above… #VancouverIsland 🇨🇦📷

Photo taken from a seaplane flying over Cordova Bay. Blue ocean, green trees and in the distance, the Olympic Mountains.

Photo of the seaplane flying over Cordova Bay. Blue sky and green Douglas Fir trees..

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Perhaps this could be a Mount Mazama/Crater Lake version where you can pull tissues up through the lake?

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

As summer winds down, fog season gets closer…

Short-lived late-September fog on southern #VancouverIsland. Green bushes and trees in the mist as the sun rises.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Did you feel shaking in the #Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia at 5:31 PT this morning? Hundreds did... That was a M4.0 earthquake located 40 km ENE of Nelson. Felt from Trail to Creston to Cranbrook. Details and to report shaking: www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/eqpages/en/2... ⚒️🧪🇨🇦

Map showing the location of the 17 September, 2026 M4 earthquake near Kootenay Lake in southeast British Columbia.

Seismograms showing ground shaking from the 17 September, 2026 M4 earthquake near Kootenay Lake, British Columbia.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Yes... the brown grass will turn green again eventually. The fresh oregano and basil are being put to good use in tomato sauce (made with what seems like a million fresh picked cherry tomatoes)!

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme (sounds like a song?)… Anything being watered (like the herb garden) is very happy… anything not being watered (like the lawn) is a lovely brown colour. 🌱🇨🇦

Photo of herb garden, with a brown lawn in the background.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

5 Sept. 1944: A damaging M5.8 #earthquake struck near Cornwall, #ON and Massena, #NY. Chimneys came crashing down and many masonry structures were damaged. Felt from Quebec City to New York to Toronto ⚒️🧪 www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/historic-his... articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1945JRAS...

Map showing the shaking intensity from the September 5, 1944 M5.8 earthquake near Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. Ground shaking was felt from Quebec City to New York City and from Toronto to Boston.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

128 years of #earthquake recording in Victoria, Canada! On September 3, 1898, a Milne seismograph began operation in the basement of the old Customs House building on the Victoria waterfront. It was one of the first seismographs in Canada ⚒️🧪🇨🇦 Coverage from a few years ago cheknews.ca/earthquake-h...

Photo showing the Milne seismograph that was first deployed in Victoria, Canada, in 1898.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Yes - the 5W light bulb string (with a thermostat to automatically turn the lights on if it dips below about 35F / 2C and remay fabric around the tree) is a great system for those of us with warm(ish) winters! It works really well. I use it from ~November until March www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX-R...

youtube.com

Growing Lemons and Limes in South Coastal BC, Canada

YouTube video by Fruit Trees and More

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Thanks. the lemons are amazing! From mid-November until March I put a single strand of 5W lights with a thermostat that turns the lights on (if it gets close to freezing) and off (when it is warmer) on the tree. It works really well! My tree is ~5 years old and produced ~2 dozen lemons this year!

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This is a Meyer lemon tree. It stays in-ground and is on a south-facing wall. It is normally above freezing here in the winter, but we do get frost and even short-lived snow on occasion! To keep the tree warm during cold weather I use a string of 5W lights. See: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX-R...

youtube.com

Growing Lemons and Limes in South Coastal BC, Canada

YouTube video by Fruit Trees and More

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Welcome to #September - when my #VancouverIsland lemon tree still has lots of ripe lemons from this past Spring but also many new lemons that will be ready to pick in 2027! #Lemons 🌱🍋🇨🇦

Photo of an in ground Canadian lemon tree on the sunny south wall of a house. Ripe, bright yellow lemons and green leaves.

Close-up of ripe lemons (and green leaves) on a Vancouver Island lemon tree.

Close-up of new, green lemons and green leaves on a Vancouver Island lemon tree.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Natural Resources Canada is hiring: Field Electronics Technologist - Closing Sept. 17, 2026 Victoria, BC; Yellowknife, NT or Ottawa, ON emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/ap... Seismic Analyst - closing Sept.9, 2026 Victoria, BC or Ottawa, ON emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/ap... ⚒️🧪🇨🇦

emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca

Field Electronics Technologist

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

77 years ago tonight - a M8.1 #earthquake off #HaidaGwaii ruptured a 500-km-long segment of the Queen Charlotte Fault ("Canada's San Andreas Fault"). The average slip along the #fault was ~5 m. Shaking was so strong that it was hard to stand. More than 100 aftershocks were felt on Haida Gwaii. ⚒️🧪🇨🇦

Map showing the location of the M8.1 earthquake of 1949 and the M7.8 earthquake of 2012. The rupture zone of the 1949 earthquake (shown on the map) extended for about 500 km along the Queen Charlotte Fault. The 2012 earthquake was a subduction earthquake on the Haida Gwaii Thrust fault.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

August 21, 1949 - a damaging M8.1 #earthquake (one of the largest ever recorded in North America) struck off #HaidaGwaii. Shaking was so strong that it was hard to stand. Felt across most of #BritishColumbia, parts of Alberta, WA, Yukon and Alaska www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/historic-his... ⚒️🧪

Map showing the location of the 1949 M8.1 Haida Gwaii earthquake. Colours indicate the felt shaking and the strength of shaking. Shaking was so strong on parts of Haida Gwaii that it twas difficult to stand.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Did you feel shaking in the Okanagan Valley region last night at 11:17 p.m.? That was a M2.9 earthquake located 29 km SE of #Penticton. Shaking was felt from Kamloops, through the Okanagan Valley to Osoyoos. For details and to report shaking: www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/eqpages/en/2...

Map of southern British Columbia showing the location of last night's M2.9 earthquake (south of Penticton) and coloured symbols indicatethe strength of shaking. In all cases, weak shaking levels.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Did you feel shaking in northern #California at 8:30 this morning? That was a M4.1 earthquake near San Leandro (about 20 km to the east of San Francisco). Shaking was felt by thousands of people in the Bay area. Details (USGS) and to report shaking: earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...

Map from the USGS showing felt ground shaking in northern California from the M4.1 earthquake near San Leandro, CA on August 13 (08:30 a.m. PDT). Different colours are used to indicate the strength of shaking.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Yes, Rathtrevor beach. Not camping this time, but I do love camping.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

What happens when you forget about tides? This boat will be high and dry for many hours. Here on the east coast of #VancouverIsland, the ocean recedes by up to 1 km, providing a great sandy beach… perfect for a hot summers day. 🧪🏖️🇨🇦

Photo of a beach on theceast coast of Vancouver Island at low tide. The ocean has receded by 1 km.

Close up of a small boat stranded by the low tide

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Reposted by John Cassidy

Dr. Heather McFarlin @volcanoheather.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Pleqse share!! Postdoc opportunity for near-real-time landslide detection in Alaska!!! The successful applicant will get to work with the amazing @ezgikarasozen.bsky.social See this page for more info! earthquake.alaska.edu/job-opportun... 🪨⚒️🧪

earthquake.alaska.edu

Job Opportunities | Alaska Earthquake Center

The Earthquake Center’s success is built through the collaboration of people with different specialties. Our team includes scientists, technicians, engineers, communications professionals, IT speciali...

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Room with a view… From the beaches of central #VancouverIsland looking east across the #SalishSea to the Sunshine Coast and the beautiful Coast mountains. 🇨🇦📸⛰️

View from central Vancouver Island across the Salush Sea to the green hills of the Sunshine Coast and the snow-capped Coast Mountains.
Branches of a pine tree in the foreground.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

The beautiful snow-capped #volcano Kweq'Smánit (Mt. Baker) as seen from Cordova Bay on southern #VancouverIsland (120 km away) on July 31st. 🌋🧪⚒️📷

This photo shows the snow-capped volcano, Kweq'Smánit (Mt. Baker) as seen from Vancouver Island (120 km away). Also - the blue waters of the Salish Sea, the green hills of San Juan Island and a large green Douglas Fir tree in the foregound.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Ha - happy reading! Thank you for your great questions (as always) and discussions! Enjoy the day! Cheers, John

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Most welcome! Roy was an amazing scientist and such a terrific person - kind, thoughtful, generous with his time and always inspiring people.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

A special issue of the Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences honours Roy and highlights some of his many scientific accomplishments: cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/...

cdnsciencepub.com

Geophysical studies of the lithosphere and plate boundaries: special issue in honour of Roy D. Hyndman

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Thanks. Yes, Roy was very keen on understanding earthquake hazards in the Haida Gwaii region - we miss him! Also, yes - Nick's geology lectures are fantastic. If I recall correctly, the gravity patterns along southern Haida Gwaii are similar to offshore Vancouver Island - but will check.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

This is not so unusual. Earthquakes in this offshore region (too far away to cause damage) are common (even at the M4-5 level) and there are small earthquakes everyday. Being prepared helps - there are many simple things one can do (e.g., no heavy pictures over a bed): www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/...

www2.gov.bc.ca

Get prepared for an earthquake

Learn how to prepare for and respond to an earthquake in British Columbia.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Great question - thanks! It is a complicated region, with a number of faults (and different types). There is a transform fault (QCF) that extends from southeast AK to south of Haida Gwaii and the Haida Gwaii thrust fault (e.g., the 2012 M7.8 earthquake). Research is still underway - so "other"?

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Did you feel a slight shake in the #VancouverIsland region last night (at 9:49 p.m.)? That was a M5.5 earthquake located ~140 km off the northwest coast of the island. Details: www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/eqpages/en/2... Report shaking: www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/dyfi-lavr/fo... ⚒️🧪

Recording of ground shaking at Victoria caused by the M5.5 offshore Vancouver Island earthquake (460 km away).

Map showing the location of last night's M5.5 earthquake off northern Vancouver Island. Thin blue lines indicate tectonic plate boundaries.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

And here is the culprit, a lightning strike in Cordova Bay (on this map it is just to the southeast of the “Elk Lake” label). From the Canada lightning map www.canada.ca/en/environme...

Map of some very recent lightning strikes on southern Vancouver Island.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Wow - this short-lived, surprise storm on southern #VancouverIsland produced some very loud thunder and very nearby lightning. One flash and very loud bang were almost simultaneous and our house shook for many seconds - as recorded on the seismograph at 5:12 p.m. today. 🧪

Ground shaking at our house resulting from a nearby lightning strike!

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Thanks. Yes, we have Stellar’s Jays. I don’t see them so often, though. Mostly squirrels!

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Oh great… my garden has been turned into a “bed and breakfast” by a peafowl. Last night, this peahen dug up my yellow bean plants to make herself a nest in a raised garden bed. All that was visible was her head and it took a quite a lot of convincing to get her to leave. 🌱🦚

Photo of a peahen who has made a nest in a garden box. Tomato plants ( for snacking on) are behind.

Photo of the peahen leaving its new home in a garden box. Green plants and brown lawn in the photo.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Interesting... there are peanut plants popping up in my garden. Are squirrels smarter than I thought? Are they thinking that for every peanut they plant in the garden, they could get a return of 50 to 150 peanuts?? 🌱

Photo of a squirrel sleeping on a fence in the sun.

Photo of peanut plants that have started growing in my garden.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

I am starting to think that it was not the best idea to grow zucchini plants in a garden box… 🌱

Photo of very large zucchini plants in a relatively small planter box. Large green leaves and a green cedar hedge in the background.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Happy #CanadaDay! 41.4 million people 9.9 million km² (2nd largest country in the world) Enjoy the day! #VancouverIsland 🇨🇦

Brown grass, green trees, blue water, blue sky and snow-capped mountains in the distance, as seen from Fort Rodd Hill on southern Vancouver Island, Canada.

Red and white Canadian flag with a blue sky behind.

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

For my Bluesky friends who are interested in Episodic Tremor and Slip (ETS) - and specifically, the question “Does Episodic Tremor and Slip Influence Seismicity in Northern Cascadia?” - see the Seismica article (4th PhD article of Dr. Madison Bombardier) seismica.library.mcgill.ca/article/view... ⚒️🧪

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Thanks - this is the history of seismic monitoring one: cdnsciencepub.com/doi/full/10....

cdnsciencepub.com

Canadian Science Publishing

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John Cassidy @earthquakeguy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Sorry for resending - you already have it!

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