A newly operational network of sensors in Quebec and eastern Ontario is now capable of providing critical early detection of potentially significant earthquakes.
On Thursday, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) disclosed the extension of the Earthquake Early Warning System. This system is designed to activate and dispatch emergency phone and broadcast alerts akin to those for tornadoes or Amber Alerts upon detecting an earthquake with a magnitude of five or higher.
These alerts have the potential to offer valuable seconds of advance notice before the commencement of shaking, enabling individuals to seek shelter and safeguard themselves.
The department also mentioned ongoing efforts to issue tailored alerts to enable actions like halting trains, pausing surgeries, and closing infrastructure such as bridges or tunnels.
NRCan highlighted that, alongside western B.C. where the system was initiated last year, eastern Ontario and southern Quebec are assessed to be at moderate to high earthquake risk levels. The occurrence of a major earthquake in densely populated areas could result in damages worth tens of billions of dollars.
Earthquakes Canada reported only one earthquake above magnitude five in Canada this year, a 5.2 magnitude quake off the coast of the Northwest Territories last month. Over the course of this century, this region has experienced just three earthquakes of comparable magnitude in 2002, 2010, and 2013.
P and S waves
According to government explanations, the sensors initially detect the primary seismic waves, known as P waves, emanating from an earthquake. If these waves indicate potential harm, an alert is issued prior to the arrival of the secondary seismic waves, known as S waves, which are more destructive.
For instance, in B.C., P waves from an earthquake about 600 kilometers away were identified approximately a minute before the arrival of the S waves. However, individuals in close proximity to the earthquake’s epicenter might not receive timely alerts.
Southwestern British Columbia has experienced several small but noticeable earthquakes over the past few weeks. For some it’s raising questions about how to be better prepared. CBC’s Baneet Braich looked into the Earthquake Early Warning system and how to better ensure it works for you.
