Strong 6.2 quake, multiple aftershocks, jolt parts of Yukon and northwest B.C.

WHITEHORSE (CP) — Dozens of aftershocks rattled parts of southern Yukon and northern British Columbia after a strong earthquake shook the area Monday.

The tremors cut power and closed schools in Whitehorse, but officials said there was no major damage.

Natural Resources Canada reported that the first quake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit at 5:31 a.m. Pacific time.

It was centred in a remote area 77 kilometres northwest of Skagway, Alaska, and 127 kilometres southwest of Whitehorse.

The U.S. Geological Survey website showed that the shaker was followed by many more over the next 90 minutes, including aftershocks with magnitudes of 6.3 and 5.2.

Four hours after the quake, the geological survey had recorded more than 50 temblors, and aftershocks continued to shake the area.

The Yukon government activated its Emergency Co-ordination Centre as the quakes continued.

“What I can tell you is that there have been no reports of damage or injury in Whitehorse,” said an official who answered the phone at the Yukon Emergency Measures Organization.

Both the National Weather Service in the U.S. and Emergency Info B.C. said the quakes were not expected to trigger a tsunami.

The tremors knocked out power to about 8,000 people in Whitehorse and closed three schools, but officials said there was no damage to critical infrastructure.

Yukon Energy spokeswoman Janet Patterson said the first quake knocked out a substation in Whitehorse, but staff have checked equipment at several generating facilities and haven’t reported any concerns.

Earthquakes over a magnitude of six can cause damage to buildings, even well-built ones, but the shocks appear to have resulted only in minor damage.