An earthquake hit northern B.C. near Alaska and the Yukon at 4:10 p.m. today (December 18).

The quake was located on land at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles) and 53 kilometres (33 miles) northwest of Mosquito, Alaska, and 127 kilometres (78 miles) southwest of Whitehorse, Yukon.

The U.S. Geological Survey has listed it as a 4.1-magnitude event while Earthquakes Canada has listed it measured it as a 4.3-magnitude quake.

Both measurements of the seismic event fall within the light category on the Richter scale, which is stronger than a minor earthquake yet significant damage is unlikely.

Meanwhile, a light earthquake also struck offshore west of Vancouver Island on December 16 at 8:11 p.m.

The epicentre of the 4.2-magnitude quake was located 166 kilometres (103 miles) west of Port Hardy, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles).

A few quakes have struck the area over the past few weeks. On December 5, a 4.0-magntiude quake occurred in the area between Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island. Before that, a 4.5-magnitude quake struck offshore of Vancouver Island 174 kilometres west of Port Hardy on December 3.