The Associated Press
NEAH BAY — An unusual series of earthquakes struck off the Washington coast early this morning, causing no damage or tsunami but generating interest among seismologists.
The first quake, which hit at 1:07 a.m. Sunday, was the strongest with a magnitude of 5.5.
It was followed by at least 10 aftershocks in the hours that followed, most of them ranging from magnitude 4 to magnitude 5, said John Vidale, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.
All of the quakes were centered off the coast, about 180 miles west of Neah Bay, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Vidale said the earthquake, on the far edge of the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate, was bigger than any off the Washington coast for the past few years.
“It wasn’t the biggest, most threatening fault — but still it’s a notable earthquake. And that’s the reason a few people reported feeling it this morning,” he said.
“It doesn’t signal much danger. It’s far enough away … that it won’t do very much. But there’s a small chance it will trigger something.”
Vidale said there’s a good chance that aftershocks could continue for a while in the area, but no damage is expected in Western Washington.
