Despite recent seismic activity worldwide suggesting that another earthquake could occur soon - possibly closer to home - experts say that Canada should focus on being prepared instead of dreading the next tremor.
In the last 30 days, there have been 15 tremors registering more than 5.7 magnitude around the so-called Ring of Fire. A portion of BC’s west coast lies within the designated region, where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions typically occur.
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UBC dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences Dr. Simon Peacock said that there is no reason to believe that the latest string of earthquakes would lead to seismic activity near BC.
“I think it is better to view these earthquakes as an important reminder that we live in earthquake country here in BC and we need to prepare for earthquakes, both as individuals and as a society,” Peacock told
Global News.
An average of 134 earthquakes measuring between a 6.0 and 6.9 magnitude occur each year, which translates to seismic activity occurring once every other day. Bigger tremors, those measuring 7.0 to 7.9, occur much less frequently—only an average of 16 occurs each year. The most severe seismic events, measuring 8.0 and higher, happen about once a year.
“Sometimes it seems like these things come in clusters,” explained Brent Ward, the earth sciences department chair of Simon Fraser University. “But most of the time they’re pretty random. It’s probably a bit of coincidence that they happened at around the same time.”
Ward added that there are rarely any predictors to earthquakes.
“All we can do is prepare. People should have a plan, because they’re not going to be able to use their cellphones. Have a plan about where to meet and what to do in this situation, and have an earthquake kit,” he stated.
According to the calculations of the
Insurance Bureau of Canada, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake 75 kilometres off the coast of Vancouver Island could result in insured damages of up to $75 billion.
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