B.C. early warning system in spotlight on anniversary of megathrust earthquake
B.C.'s earthquake early warning (EEW) system is in the spotlight once again as the anniversary of a massive 9.0-magnitude megathrust earthquake arrives.
On Jan. 26, 1700, one of the largest earthquakes to ever occur in the world rumbled off the west coast of North America.
The earthquake spanned from the northern tip of Vancouver Island down to northern California, wiping out homes, causing floods and knocking people off their feet.
Local Indigenous communities handed down stories of the incredible earthquake, tsunami, and aftershocks that occurred due to the Cascadia Subduction Zone rupturing, with the dates corroborated by scientists in Japan, who had written records of a tsunami reaching their shores from an earthquake originating from elsewhere in the world.
"[The earthquake] is very well documented in the oral traditions of First Nations groups from Vancouver Island down to California," said earthquake seismologist John Cassidy on Victoria radio station CFAX 1070.
"All of these Indigenous oral traditions describe exactly what we expect from one of these subduction earthquakes," he said.
Vancouver Island sits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and Cassidy says recent research into seismology has shown that 19 similar massive earthquakes related to the movement of the subduction zone have occurred over the past 10,000 years.
Each of the earthquakes occurs in a range of about 200 to 850 years, and Canada is looking at ways to prepare for future earthquakes.
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE WARNING SYSTEM
Canada is building about 400 EEW sensor stations across the country, including more than 100 planned for British Columbia.
The early earthquake warning sensors are designed to pick up on seismic waves that occur right after an earthquake is triggered.
The sensors will give residents precious moments before the rumbling of an earthquake reaches them.
"So there is an opportunity for warning time depending on how far away the earthquake is," said Cassidy, noting that a massive subduction zone earthquake in B.C. would occur offshore.
"If you're very close you may only have five seconds or 10 seconds, but if the earthquake starts further away, say off of Oregon or off California, it could be four minutes to five minutes of warning," he said.
"It's not a lot, but it's certainly enough to get under desks or get under tables – time to get away from cabinets that may fall over, time for surgeons to put down scalpels, time to open garage doors at fire halls, stop elevators so people can get out," he said.
"So a lot of things can be done automatically with a very short amount of warning time."
Canada's national EEW network is scheduled to complete in 2024. The EEW stations are centred around regions where there is a threat of a significant earthquake, particularly around areas with high populations or that contain critical infrastructure, like power stations or rail lines.
Cassidy says the earthquake early warning system is an "important tool in our tool belt" to protect against earthquakes.
Other important tools include modern building codes and preparedness from residents.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.