Hi
Since we have arrived in Vancouver , we have noticed a lot of talk about earthquakes here, on school registration for the kids we had to sign an earthquake response release form, and on the TV today they mentioned a 2 in 3 chance of a 6.7 quake in the next thirty years..
Anyone any comments, or is it just hype ?
cheers
Jerry

Hi Jerry
This is one of my (more dormant!) worries. We are due the big one. :scared: Lots of schools have been seimically upgraded etc., and yes, you will most probably be asked to drop off a 'comfort pack' at the school for your kiddie in case of a disaster.

We have earthquakes all the time, but rarely feel them. I have been here 5 years and a sizeable tremor woke me up one night and I just turned over and went back to sleep. It wasn't until the next day (and the screaming newspaper headlines) I realised what had disturbed my sleep.

Have a look at this link for an idea of the size and frequency of SW BC earthquakes. http://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca...pl_region=swbc

Oh, and this cheery little article won't do anything for your feelings of disquiet http://www.discovervancouver.com/GVB/big-one.asp

Ho hum...

Clare

PS I live in North Vancouver, which is on Granite - so we should be safe. But folk have pointed out North Van is onthe side of a mountain - so we'll all just slide into the Burrard Inlet

We have a little shakin going on from time to time here on southern vancouver island. In fact just last week when we were in bed we could feel the shake - but it was a very little one and stopped after a few seconds. As claire said one can barely feel them and we just turn over and go back to sleep as well. Normally if it happens during the day, we dont feel anything and only know something has happened if we hear the news.


There's not much one can do if and when the "big one" comes except be as prepared as possible with the necessities of life. I have lifed on the west coast for a long time - went to UBC in Vancouver and now live on the island with husband and two kids. I would never ever leave.

We are going to Van Island and have bought a house there for which we have also bought earthquake insurance, although we understand most people don't bother! There is a risk to everything in life even crossing the road, or getting on the unlucky plane. It may happen in 30 years or it may happen in 100 years, nobody really knows. Be as prepared as you can. At least they don't have a lovely selection of poisonous snakes like Australia. Now that would be scary! :scared: :scared: :scared:

[QUOTE=willmore]We have a little shakin going on from time to time here on southern vancouver island. In fact just last week when we were in bed we could feel the shake - but it was a very little one and stopped after a few seconds. ..........QUOTE]

Just to add to the potential risk assessment and general paranoia!!!!! :scared: Who needs snakes when you have the Super Volcano of Yellowstone National Park, just a proverbial stones throw away, that by most accounts is ready to pop it's top.

Dozzzzy

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Don't you also have to worry about a Pacific Tsunami as well? Blimey, what with the earthquakes, volcano's and tsunami's it's a surprise anyone would want to live in coastal BC!

I was in an earthquake on the west coast. (Also one in Ottawa but that was just a bit of floor throbbing). I didn't really know what to do so I stood at the window and watched people running half naked from the hotel; I was a bit slow because I had a hangover, which was kind of lucky. A large concrete slab fell off the facade of the hotel and sailed past me killing some people on the ground. That got my attention and I remembered that one should stand in a doorway, so I did that until the building stopped shaking. Even from the doorway I could see a highway buckle in the distance which was oddly fascinating because it happened slowly and without any obvious violence.

I found the earthquake frightening because I was on a high floor of a building that was swaying but, in terms of fear, it was nothing compared to seeing a tornado. In terms of risk, I believe floods are more likely to kill you, though one big earthquake could change those odds pretty quickly.

Don't forget Mount Ranier which is also due to blow. We're are all dooooomed..........................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

Don't forget earthquake insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :scared:

That was mentioned in the "discovervancouver.com" link posted above.

We saw a TV programme on this shortly before we came out. They were examining BC coastline and showing evidence of a severe tsunami some (hundreds?) years ago.

At that time there was no settlement along that coast except the aboriginals, but about the same time as that would have taken place, there were ancient records from the asian coast of a huge tsunami that swept across the Pacific. The theory was that this Tsunami which caused widespread loss of life at least on a par with the one recently in India/Thailand, was from the Pacific rim fault off the BC coast, and if it occurred again, (and it is "due" to), it will cause severe damage and loss of life on the BC coastal areas now that these are heavily populated.

Hmmm ...food for thought. You are probably still more likely to get killed on the road.... or even be eaten by a bear! :scared:

I have heard in the course of my work this come up from time to time, I think there are some references in the BC building code for upgrades.
In areas of Surrey, Richmond and Delta there is apparantly a risk of ground liquifaction.
The main concern in your home, apart from physical damage to structure is the water heater going "pop". These things will go 3-4 storeys and beyond.
I have seen some attemps to strap them, but it would take a serious bit of engineering to stop the thing.
In Washington they take it a bit more seriously with flexi conections etc.
So at the first tremor dont be above your water heater.

Have a browes on google earth which shows recent earthquake activity for the pacific rim. Lots in Alaska and California as expected.

http://earth.google.com/tour/thanks-win.html

Maybe this is something you should have investigated before moving here!

When the Tsunami comes, it most likely won't affect Vancouver very badly. It will wipe out the western part of Vancouver Island, such as Tofino, Uculet, and Port Alberni. Generally Speaking Victoria, and eastern parts of the island and Vancouver will be better protected because of the Straight.

OH WOW...where were you? I've only been in two earthquakes, but nothing big happened. The first was in Grade 4 and I was in bed, I didn't know what it was, and thought (seriously) a ghost - was shaking my bed. My mom thought it was a large truck. The second one was in gr. 10, and my school was evicted to our fields.

PS. It's now accepted that you shouldn't stand in a doorway that has a door on it. Since the violence of the shaking could wip the door open, and then if your hands get in the hinges and the door slams shut....ooops your fingers are now gone too.... oopsies. Also don't stand in a doorway if it's the only one in a room, and there are other people in the room (say in an office meeting) because people are stupid, and they will not get under table but run for the door and you will be trampled.