An earthquake detection device being installed on the floor of the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Vancouver Island. (Ocean Networks Canada)

By Ian Holmes

quake detector

‘We’re excited about it:’ earthquake warning technology put to the test

Jul 9, 2019 | 10:36 AM

NANAIMO — A new earthquake warning system is in place to give south coasters a potentially life-saving heads up in case a large quake hits.

Ocean Networks Canada public safety program manager Teron Moore told NanaimoNewsNOW nearly 50 earthquake detection sensors, most of them on Vancouver Island, were installed as part of an agreement with the B.C. Government.

The sensors gather critical data from the active Cascadia Subduction Zone. Moore said a series of ongoing tests has shown how important the information is.

“Whether it’s one second of warning or whether it’s 60 seconds for something that’s offshore, it gives some amount of time to improve that situation once an earthquake shaking actually hits a location.” _{Teron Moore}

Preliminary data can be available more than one minute before shaking reaches the Earth’s surface.

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Moore said the system will be refined over the next year-and-a-half before it’s ready to be implemented by the government. How the system will transition from the technology to application phase will be entirely up to the senior levels of government.

“There’s steps to take place between infrastructure being in place and systems up and running to then actually delivering life-saving, critical information over a siren.”

The earthquake warning system includes eight devices on the floor of the Pacific Ocean off Vancouver Island’s west side.

Quake detection systems are used by the province for the George Massey Tunnel and on-site at UBC, but Moore said this project is by far the most expansive in the province.

Ocean Networks Canada is following through a three-year, $5 million contract with the province to establish an earthquake warning system for the south coast region of B.C.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes