JIIRP WorkshopFebruary 26, 2007

Earthquake Hazard Earthquake Hazard and Preparedness and Preparedness In British ColumbiaIn British Columbia

Maiclaire Bolton

Emergency Management Analyst – Seismic Hazards

Maiclaire.Bolton@gov.bc.ca

YES!

Is there an Earthquake Is there an Earthquake Threat in BC?Threat in BC?

History of Damaging History of Damaging earthquakes in BCearthquakes in BC

The biggest earthquakes in BC were:

1700: W of Van. Island (M9)

1872: S. of Hope (M7.4)

1918: W. Van. Island (M7.0)

1946: W of Courtenay (M7.3)

1949: Queen Charlottes (M8.1)

Why do they occur? Why do they occur?

North America Plate EQs (1946)

Juan de Fuca Plate EQs

(2001)

Subduction ZoneEQs (1700) The Big One

Deep

Shallow

Earthquake EffectsEarthquake EffectsThe Primary effect is strong ground

motion – shaking and rolling...

Izmit, Turkey, 1999

Olympia, WA 2001

Northridge, CA1994

Secondary Earthquake EffectsSecondary Earthquake Effects

Liquefaction…

Nigata, Japan (1964)

Kocaeli, Turkey (1995)Kocaeli, Turkey (1995)

Landslides…

Secondary Earthquake EffectsSecondary Earthquake Effects

U.C.Davis; Virginia Tech.U.C.Davis; Virginia Tech.Kobe (1995)Kobe (1995)

Subsidence…

Secondary Earthquake EffectsSecondary Earthquake Effects

U.C.Davis; Virginia Tech.U.C.Davis; Virginia Tech.Kocaeli, Turkey (1995)Kocaeli, Turkey (1995)

Flooding...

Secondary Earthquake EffectsSecondary Earthquake Effects

Chi Chi, Taiwan (1999)

Loma Prieta, CA (1989)

Izmit, Turkey (1999)

Secondary Earthquake EffectsSecondary Earthquake EffectsFires...

Tsunamis...

Secondary Earthquake EffectsSecondary Earthquake Effects

Port Alberni, BC (1964)

Anchorage, AK (1964)

Earthquake PreparednessEarthquake Preparedness

Before an EarthquakeBefore an Earthquake

• Develop a plan • Prepare an emergency kit (home,

work, vehicle)• Mitigate damage to your home• Plan to be self-sufficient for at

least 72 hours

Earthquake PreparednessEarthquake Preparedness

During an EarthquakeDuring an Earthquake

• Drop, Cover, and Hold.

• Remain in a protected place until shaking stops

Earthquake PreparednessEarthquake Preparedness

After an EarthquakeAfter an Earthquake• Stay calm

• prevent further injury

• hang up phones

• get earthquake kit

• check for hazards,

• check for building damage

• expect aftershocks

Earthquake Damage…Earthquake Damage…

What can we expect?What can we expect?

Chimney FailureChimney Failure

CourtenayCourtenayElementary Elementary

SchoolSchool

Vancouver Island 1946 (M7.3) GSCGSC

Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2)Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2)

URM Wall CollapseURM Wall Collapse

FEMAFEMA

Nisqually 2001 (M6.8)Nisqually 2001 (M6.8) Seattle TimesSeattle Times

URM CollapseURM Collapse

Soft Storey FailureSoft Storey Failure

Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2)Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2) FEMAFEMA

Soft Storey FailureSoft Storey Failure

Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2)Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2) FEMAFEMA

Morocco 1960 (M6.7)Morocco 1960 (M6.7)

Building CollapseBuilding Collapse

FEMAFEMA

Pancaking (13 storey URC)Pancaking (13 storey URC)

Mexico City 1985 (M8.1)Mexico City 1985 (M8.1) FEMAFEMA

Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2)Loma Prieta 1989 (M7.2)

Freeway CollapseFreeway Collapse

FEMAFEMA

Freeway CollapseFreeway Collapse

Kobe 1995 (M6.9)Kobe 1995 (M6.9) FEMAFEMA

Dam FailureDam Failure

Chi-chi (Taiwan) 1999 (M7.6)Chi-chi (Taiwan) 1999 (M7.6) U.C.Davis; Virginia Tech.