Earthquake in Vancouver

1) According to a Global News, news report, we knew a major earthquake would be hitting Vancouver as seismologists are aware that a large earthquake happens approximately between 200 to 800 years apart. The last large earthquake occurred in 1700 meaning, statistically BC was expecting one. Other evidence predicting that the major earthquake would happen is that the second largest tectonically active fault system in North America, reaches 1200 km from northern California to Vancouver Island.We know major earthquakes would occur in the area along the Cascadia subduction zone with the epicentre being near Haida Gwaii in the Juan de Fuca straight based on the evidence of past earthquakes. Vancouver is positioned in a seismically active region where large and destructive earthquakes have happened in the past.  A major earthquake could occur at any time. The Metro Vancouver region lies at the forefront of the North American plate and on the western edge of the plate, the Juan de Fuca plate is subducting beneath and is slowing deforming the continent.

2) The geological setting makes this heavily populated region susceptible to frequent seismic activity. This area also has increased risk of disastrous megathrust earthquakes. The Metro Vancouver region is surrounded by the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean which makes it vulnerable and isolated during a large earthquake.

3)
a.
Liquefaction is a process in which the durability and solidity of soil is compromised by earthquake movement. This is a hazard because when it occurs, the solidity of the soil decreases and the ability of soil deposits to support foundations for buildings and bridges are reduced. It can be responsible for a tremendous amount of damage and a hazard for many lives. Liquefaction would be a major issue in the South Delta, Richmond and Tsawassen area because they are at sea level and the ground can easily become liquefied.

Landslides are the movement of rock, debris or earth down a slope. Sudden and rapid landslides are most dangerous because of the lack of warning and the speed at which material can travel down the slope, also the force on resulting impacts impact. Extremely slow landslides may not be a threat to people but it can cause considerable damage to property. There are many resources that could be ruined, for example water supplies, fisheries, and roads. Landslides would be a major issue in the North Vancouver and Vancouver Island and Gulf Island areas because of all the forests and hill sides and mountains with loose rocks and unstable land.

Tsunami's are giant waves that can be caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions under the sea. As the waves travel toward land they increases to extremely high measures as the depth of the ocean decreases. The speed of tsunami waves are dependent on ocean depth rather than distance from the source of the wave. In some cases they can result in floods reaching up to 100 feet in height. They can cause a lot of property damage, environmental damage and leaving many lives at risk. A tsunami would definitely be a major concern for Victoria and other cities along the coast of B.C. because they aren't a major land mass and can easily be swept under water and many peoples lives would be destroyed.

Flooding is a natural disaster that occurs where a dry area of land becomes submerged under large quantities of water. Floods that happen in areas where people live, the water carries along whatever can removed from the ground such as houses, bridges, cars, furniture, and even people. It can wipe away farms and trees as well. Flooding would occur along Vancouver Island and all the cities and towns along the Pacific Ocean like Vancouver and Richmond. The sea level would rise causing these areas at sea level to flood

b.
I) Social Impact : Earthquake hazards pose serious intermediate term risk to health and safety and economic viability. They demonstrate risks to industrial societies from the event, affecting everything from massive loss of life, infrastructure damage and financial instability. Earthquakes can have short term and long term impacts. Short term impacts would include injured people, destroyed homes, disruption to transportation and communication. Long term impacts would include a release of a wide spread disease and peopling having to re-house.

II) Economic Impact : Earthquakes can result in massive destruction of roads, bridges, farms, houses, automobiles and people become homeless. The government deploys fireman, police and other emergency apparatuses to help the affected. Everything comes at a heavy cost to the people and the government. It takes years for affected communities to be re-built and businesses to come back to normal.

III) Infrastructure Impacts : Earthquakes can effect availability of many services and elements of infrastructure. The large and violent movement of the ground caused by an earthquake will disrupt many services. Electric line poles are vulnerable to damage. No electricity results in no light, heat and no water. Land-line phones will not have service as the towers may be damaged. Natural gas pipelines could also be broken. Almost all stores rely on supplies being brought by trucks, so supply lines will be impacted. Local airports and train facilities can also be damaged. Bridges, buildings, and hospitals can be destroyed or damaged causing a great effect.

4)
Metro Vancouver is preparing for the impending earthquake by:
To protect our infrastructure:
-Bridge upgrades

-Dedicated Fire Protection System (DFPS)
-Stormwater management
-Mapping flood hazards
-Extreme weather response
To protect the community:
-Emergency Social Services
-Public education
-Specialized response
Coordinated planning and response:
-Earthquake Preparedness Strategy
-Regional collaboration
-Emergency communications
-Consolidated radio and dispatch
-Emergency Operations Centre