Canadian Earthquake Early Warning system launches in B.C.
Natural Resources Canada has developed a national Earthquake Early Warning system for areas of high earthquake risk
The Government of Canada is reminding residents of British Columbia about the risks of living in an earthquake zone and how they can best prepare for them.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has launched its national Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system, which can provide people with the rapid detection of earthquakes, real-time estimation of the shaking hazard, and notification of expected shaking. EEW provides seconds to tens-of-seconds of notice before strong shaking starts, which can help reduce injuries, deaths, and property losses.
About the system
The EEW system is designed to enhance early detection and warning in areas of moderate to high earthquake hazard and concentrations of population and infrastructure. In Canada, this earthquake risk is concentrated along the west coast of British Columbia, the Ottawa River Valley, and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The system will begin by launching in British Columbia this May, and in the fall (date to be confirmed) in eastern Ontario and southern Quebec.
EEW systems cannot predict earthquakes, but they can provide up to tens of seconds of warning by detecting an earthquake immediately after it occurs. People may receive an alert before, during, or after shaking arrives at their location depending on their distance from the earthquake and the method by which they receive the alert, for example the further from the epicentre, generally the more warning time.
The EEW system alerts for potentially harmful shaking levels: Magnitude ≥ 5 and Intensity (MMI) ≥ IV. In general, it is best to assume the shaking is imminent and take immediate protective actions.
EEW alerts in Canada will be transmitted automatically to infrastructure operators and by the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) via cell phone, radio, and television to the public.
What to do if you receive an alert
Drop, cover and hold on. Possible preventative measures include:
Drop, cover and hold on - Click here for examples of what to do if specific situations
Automatically open fire hall and ambulance bay doors
Stop traffic onto bridges and into tunnels
Close valves
Halt trains
Divert planes from landing
Move elevators to the nearest floor and open doors
Halt surgery
It’s important to understand an emergency can happen at any time. Click here to learn more about potential hazards and to make a plan.