Canada’s first earthquake early warning system sensor installed in British Columbia

Canada’s first earthquake early warning system sensor, which gives residents seconds before a strong shaking begins, has been installed in British Columbia

Officials announced Monday that the sensor has been installed in Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver in partnership with BC Ferries. The sensor is the first of about 400 devices that will be used to detect early waves in the earthquake.

There are two main types of waves in an earthquake, explained Alison Bird, a seismologist and outreach officer with Natural Resources Canada’s Earthquake Early Warning System. The first, which Bird described as an “initial tremor or rumble,” would be detected by the sensor. This will give the warning system a chance to alert the public before slower, more harmful waves often appear seconds later.

Explaining the alerts to individuals through the National Public Alert System, which is also used for amber alerts, Baird told CTV News Vancouver.

Although the system may only provide a few seconds of warning, Bird said a lot could be done in this time.

“We will send alerts directly to critical infrastructure operators so they can get the technologies that will be powered by these alerts,” she said.

Some examples include systems that would automatically open the fire pit or ambulance compartment doors so that they are not overcrowded and vehicles can still exit.

The alert will also give individuals time to drop, cover and catch to protect themselves from falling debris.

“There are () small things that you can do in a short period of time, but they make a big difference in terms of reducing the impact of that earthquake,” Baird said.

However, the system may not be able to give a warning to those very close to the epicenter. It also cannot predict when an earthquake will occur, but senses when the early earthquake waves have already occurred.

Baird explained that a large number of the 400 sensors will be in British Columbia, especially along the coast, due to the higher earthquake risk. She said the government is cooperating with organizations that will give a location for the sensor’s installation, as BC Ferries did in Horseshoe Bay.

“Earthquake preparedness is an important part of our emergency response planning, given the critical role BC Ferries will play in connecting communities along the British Columbia coast following a major earthquake,” BC Ferries President and CEO Mark Collins said in a statement.

“Our selection as the first early warning site for the national system reflects our commitment to safety, and we look forward to expanding the system to other strategic terminal sites along coastal British Columbia.”

After installing the remaining sensors, Bird said the earthquake warning system is expected to be operational by 2024.

“This is a really exciting technology,” Bird said, adding that an alarm system isn’t the only way people can be prepared. “People and systems have to respond properly so I encourage people to go to shakeoutbc.ca and look at and practice different ways of responding in different situations.”

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