Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) has installed the final set of underwater earthquake early warning sensors off the west coast of Canada (Figure 1) that will be part of a system alerting authorities to take preventative and protective measures for public safety. The system would enable a warning of 20 seconds to two minutes in the event of a significant earthquake.
Figure 1. ROV Hercules installs an earthquake early warning sensor during Ocean Networks Canada’s Expedition 2018: Wiring the Abyss this past summer.
Today, ONC marks a significant operational milestone in partnership with the operator of Vancouver’s Canada Line rapid transit system. A simulated exercise—as if responding to a megathrust earthquake affecting the Canada Line—demonstrating how the network will help data end-users such as transit authorities respond to emergencies.
The densely populated southwest region of BC is located on the Cascadia subduction zone, which stretches from northern Vancouver Island to northern California and is capable of producing a megathrust earthquake above magnitude 7 that would significantly affect public safety, property and infrastructure. The exercise will allow the Canada Line’s operator to simulate slowing down trains and holding them at stations (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Tim Adams, TransLink Skytrain of Canada Line arrives at Bridgeport station in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.
“Ocean Networks Canada’s earthquake early warning technology promises a new era of earthquake preparedness that will enhance the safety of both riders and workers on the Canada Line,” says Canada Line general manager Ron Powell.
Canada Line is a 19-kilometre automated rail-based rapid transit system that connects downtown Vancouver with the city’s international airport in Richmond. More than 150,000 passengers ride the Canada Line on an average weekday.
The simulated exercise includes the Great BC ShakeOut drill, an annual earthquake preparedness drill held around the world.
“Ocean Networks Canada’s earthquake early warning technology has the potential to provide the time needed to take critical, life-saving actions—like Drop, Cover and Hold On—before the shaking starts,” says Dave Cockle, president of the BC Earthquake Alliance and Oak Bay fire department chief and emergency program coordinator.
ONC installed the final set of underwater earthquake early warning sensors during this past summer’s Expedition 2018: Wiring the Abyss on its cabled deep-sea observatory along the Cascadia subduction zone approximately 200 kilometres offshore Vancouver Island. Work continues with Natural Resources Canada on land-based seismic and GPS sensors (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Ocean Networks Canada’s Early Earthquake Warning Network Sensor Locations.
“Ocean Networks Canada is thrilled to implement this world-class earthquake early warning system,” says ONC business analyst Teron Moore. “Once completed, ONC’s system will be able to estimate location and magnitude of a megathrust earthquake from the Cascadia subduction zone, enhancing tsunami monitoring and enabling a warning time of anywhere from 20 seconds to two minutes, allowing partners and decision-makers to proactively take preventative and protective measures.”
The BC government, through Emergency Management BC, invested $5 million in 2016 to install the infrastructure for earthquake early warning. Once the extensive network of underwater and land-based earthquake early warning sensors is completed, ONC will deliver the system to the BC government.
“ONC’s earthquake early warning system positions Canada and BC as a world leader in seismic and tsunami research and science,” says Moore.
Read more about British Columbia's earthquake early warning system.
University of Victoria press release.
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