B.C. invests in earthquake early warning systems

The province of British Columbia has provided a $5 million investment to Ocean Networks Canada to increase the development and use of earthquake early warning systems in the province.

The one-time project funding could enhance the safety of British Columbians living in areas of the province with seismic risk, the province’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure noted in a press release on Monday. The funding will add more offshore strong motion sensors and help integrate them with land-based sensors for more robust collection and analysis of seismic activity, with the aim of contributing to early detection and notification tools for the public, the ministry explained.

In particular, Ocean Networks Canada will install three more primary wave sensors in the Cascadia Basin, Barkley Canyon and Clayoquot Slope regions and five more along the coast of northern Vancouver Island to help test and refine the earthquake early warning system they have developed. To help reduce the likelihood of issuing false notifications, a minimum of three sensors need to be triggered by a seismic event, the release said.

Primary, or P-wave, sensors detect the first movements from the earth’s crust when an earthquake occurs. These first non-damaging waves are followed by secondary waves (S-waves), which cause the majority of shaking. The ability to quickly detect the P-waves can provide seconds of advance warning before the arrival of the S-waves, the release explained.

“The effectiveness of the detection tool depends on having enough sensors and reliable communication infrastructure to get accurate information out quickly, as well as the distance from the quake’s epicentre to the recipients of the warning,” the release said. “This funding helps provide more P-wave sensors and precise GPS receivers.”

Naomi Yamamoto, B.C.’s Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, called the contribution to an effective earthquake detection system “prudent, as every second of early warning can save lives. Preparedness is key to resilience and sparing lives with a few extra seconds warning that allow us to drop, cover and hold on will provide a critical tool.”

Dave Cockle, fire chief of the Oak Bay Fire Department and president of the BC Earthquake Alliance, added that the “seconds or minutes of advance warning can allow people and systems to take appropriate actions to protect life and property.” Even a few seconds can allow people to ‘drop, cover and hold on,’ turn off equipment, safely stop vehicles and transportation infrastructure, allow surgeons to stop delicate procedures and allow responders to initiate emergency procedures, and to prepare and prioritize response, he said.