South coast of Haida Gwaii likely epicentre of large earthquake: experts
Posted April 6, 2015 1:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Experts say the south coast of Haida Gwaii is the likely epicentre of a future large earthquake and tsunami in British Columbia.
Their scientific findings have been published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Survey of America.
The research focuses on the second-biggest measured earthquake in Canadian history _ the Haida Gwaii quake of 2012.
Thomas James of the Geological Survey of Canada is one of the lead authors of the compilation of papers.
He says research shows the quake of 2012 actually increased some of the tectonic pressure immediately south of the islands along the Queen Charlotte Fault.
James says that raises the possibility of future earthquakes and tsunamis in the region.
The studies come after a provincial government report released two weeks ago concluded that BC’s earthquake preparedness is inadequate.
The report by a US consultant says there have been 20 years of cutbacks and staffing shortages to the province’s lead disaster management agencies.
Suzanne Anton, the minister responsible for Emergency Management BC, was unavailable for comment.
