Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake Hits Near Orcas Island

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck near Orcas Island in Washington state early Monday morning, as confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at 5:02 a.m. PST, approximately 6 miles east of Orcas Island, and was felt across the region, including Victoria and Vancouver in British Columbia. While residents reported being shaken awake, no significant damage or tsunami warnings were issued. The quake is attributed to the tectonic interactions in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a seismically active area due to the subduction of the Juan de Fuca Plate beneath the North American Plate. Washington state is known for daily seismic activity and ranks high in earthquake risk in the U.S., but the likelihood of a major aftershock is low. This event follows a series of moderate earthquakes in the region, including a 3.9 magnitude quake near Los Angeles the previous night.