Earthquake warning system providing seconds of notice activated in B.C.
For years, Metro Vancouver has been worrying about the threat of the “Big One,” a megathrust earthquake expected to hit coastal B.C. one day.
But before it finally hits, residents could get a precious warning.
An earthquake early detection system has been activated in British Columbia to provide the public and infrastructure managers with up to “tens of seconds” of notice ahead of a potentially harmful tremor.
Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said when a strong earthquake is detected, alerts will be transmitted automatically to British Columbians via cellphones, radio and televisions.
He said the system, jointly announced by the federal and B.C. governments Thursday, would also allow managers of critical infrastructure to take immediate action such as halting traffic from driving onto bridges or into tunnels.
"Every year in Canada, nearly 5,000 earthquakes are recorded," Wilkinson said at a news conference in Richmond, B.C.
"Fortunately, most of these are small and pose no serious threat, but large damaging earthquakes can and will occur," said Wilkinson, adding that the most potentially damaging tremors in Canada could occur in western B.C., as well as the Ottawa-Québec City corridor.
B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said seismologists had been warning for decades of a major earthquake in the province, and the new system can give “seconds, to tens of seconds” of advance warning for people to "drop, cover and hold on."
“These crucial seconds might not sound like a lot right now, but they will mean life and death for many people during an extreme earthquake,” said Ma.
She said British Columbians have witnessed emergencies over the past few years at a greater rate than ever, largely driven by climate change.
“Earthquakes aren’t exactly a climate change hazard, but in addition to all of the other climate-driven hazards, it means that British Columbians need to be more prepared than before,” said Ma.
She said the new earthquake warning system will allow every corner of the province to be "prepared and resilient."
Edwin Nissen, professor and Canada Research Chair at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the University of Victoria, said B.C. communities such as Tofino, Port Alberni and Victoria are at high risk if a large earthquake strikes because of their proximity to the West Coast.
Places in the southern suburbs of Metro Vancouver such as Delta and Surrey will also likely “shake like a jelly” when a seismic wave hits, Nissen said, so having the early warning system in place is "a very exciting development."
But Nissen said it’s also important to note that earthquake early warning systems are just part of emergency response, and people still need to get their toolkit ready.
He said the early warning won't stop buildings from being damaged, and therefore the province still needs stronger buildings.
“We need to retrofit older buildings, especially schools and hospitals, B.C. Parliament, the Crystal swimming pool here in Victoria," said Nissen. "There are lots of older buildings that are certainly vulnerable to the ground shaking, and the government will continue to have to retrofit those buildings.”
The new system is part of the federal government’s $36 million plan to develop a warning system to protect regions vulnerable to earthquakes.
Wilkinson said the system will be expanded later this year to Southern Quebec and Eastern Ontario.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2024.
Correction
A previous version quoted Bowinn Ma as saying the system could provide up to "10 seconds" of warning. In fact, she said "tens of seconds."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Son charged with 1st-degree murder after father's death on B.C.'s Sunshine Coast
A 26-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of his father on the Sunshine Coast last year.
Loblaw using body-worn cameras at 2 Calgary stores as part of pilot project
Loblaw is launching a pilot program that will see employees at two Calgary locations don body-worn cameras in an effort to increase safety.
China is raising its retirement age, now among the youngest in the world's major economies
Starting next year, China will raise its retirement age for workers, which is now among the youngest in the world's major economies, in an effort to address its shrinking population and aging work force.
Trudeau says Ukraine can strike deep into Russia with NATO arms, Putin hints at war
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ukraine should be allowed to strike deep inside Russia, despite Moscow threatening that this would draw Canada and its allies into direct war.
Driver charged with killing NHL's Johnny Gaudreau and his brother had .087 blood-alcohol level
The driver charged with killing NHL hockey player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew as they bicycled on a rural road had a blood-alcohol level of .087, above the .08 legal limit in New Jersey, a prosecutor said Friday.
Sisters finally see the Canadian 'aviation artifact' built by their father nearly 90 years ago
Two sisters have finally been reunited with a plane their father built 90 years ago, that is also considered an important part of Canadian aviation history.
What's behind the boom? The Manitoba community that nearly doubled in a decade
For decades, the Town of Ste. Anne was stagnant, but that all changed about 10 years ago. Now it is seeing one of the highest spikes of growth in the province.
Canadian warship seizes 1,400 kilos of cocaine off Central America
A Canadian warship has seized more than 1,400 kilograms of cocaine during an anti-drug-trafficking operation in Central America.
'I couldn't form the words': 23-year-old Ont. woman highlights need for rural health care after stroke
The experience of 23-year-old Muskoka, Ont., resident Robyn Penniall, who recently had a stroke, comes as concerns are being raised about the future of health care in her community.