Multiple earthquakes just hit off the coast of Vancouver Island and it's part of a 'swarm'

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vancouver Island on Thursday morning, followed by a string of smaller ones. Earthquakes Canada is tracking what it's calling a "swarm of earthquakes."

The initial 6.4 magnitude quake happened at 8:08 a.m., about 220 kilometres west of Tofino at a depth of 10 kilometres. The subsequent three were all in the same area, with the second arriving at 8:35 a.m. at a magnitude of 4.3.

A third earthquake then happened at 9:17 a.m. This quake was a 4.9 magnitude.

A fourth earthquake was then detected at 10:34 a.m. with a magnitude of 4.8.

On the Earthquakes Canada website, it says that they "are currently experiencing a swarm of activity offshore Vancouver Island, at the intersection of the Juan de Fuca Ridge, the Sovanco Fracture Zone, and the Nootka Fault."

The agency defines an earthquake swarm as a "series of minor earthquakes, none of which may be identified as the main shock, occurring in a limited area and time."

There are no tsunami threats issued due to the earthquakes, but the 6.4 magnitude quake was "lightly felt."

The Emergency Info BC website says to "drop, cover and hold if you feel shaking. Only call 9-1-1 in an emergency."

Fourteen earthquakes have already been detected in B.C. so far in July alone.