Strong earthquake shakes Mexico's Gulf of California, while two light quakes occur in northwest B.C.

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      A strong earthquake hit offshore in Mexico's Gulf of California today (January 19) at 8:17 a.m.

      The epicentre was located 77 kilometres (47 miles) northeast of Lorento, Mexico, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles) in the body of water between Baja California Sur and Sinaloa. 

      The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported it as a 6.6-magnitude quake based on initial measurements but adjusted it to 6.3.

      There were no immediate reports of damage.

      On September 7, a powerful 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck southwestern Mexico, resulting in building collapses, power outages, and casualties. It was the strongest quake to hit the country in a century.

      Meanwhile today, a light earthquake hit northeastern British Columbia near the Alaskan border today at 1:56 a.m. Earthquakes Canada measured it as a 4.2-magnitude quake while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it as a 3.9-magnitude tremor.

      It was located at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles) about 42 kilometres (26 miles) away from Mosquito Lake, Alaska, and 140 kilometres (87 miles) away from Whitehorse, Yukon, where it was reported to have been felt.

      Prior to that, Earthquakes Canada recorded a 4.6-magnitude tremor (4.2-magnitude according to the U.S. Geological Survey) in the same area at 6:47 p.m. on January 17. The epicentre was located at a depth of 5 kilometres (3 miles) about 39 kilometres (62 miles) away from Mosquito Lake and 138 kilometres (86 miles) away from Whitehorse.

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook

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