Maria Asselin-Roy
Reporter
he world’s thoughts and prayers
went out to Japan on Friday,
March 11 after the tragic news
of an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the
north east coast of Japan. This massive
earthquake sent a tsunami across
the Pacific Ocean and has killed an
undetermined amount of people. Cars,
trucks, and buildings were literally
swept away as the tsunami seemed to
engulf the coast of Japan. Shortly after
this occurred, tsunami warnings were
plastered all around the globe in order to
warn people that Australia, the islands
of the pacific, the west coast of the
Americas and more were to be affected
by tsunamis caused by the aftermath of
the quake. This was one of the strongest
earthquakes in the last century, and it is
yet another reminder of the supposed
upcoming large earthquake to hit
Vancouver.
For over eight years now,
Vancouvrites have heard that we live
in an extremely vulnerable earthquake
zone; in fact it is one of the most
vulnerable in the country. In the area
that is directly west of Vancouver
there are two tectonic plates known as
the Juan de Fuca Strait and the North
American Plate. We are in what is
known as a subduction zone, an area
where the two plates rub against each
other horizontally. Currently, the North
American Plate is gradually sliding
underneath the Juan de Fuca Plate, which
is continuously building up pressure for
what is thought to be a major earthquake.
Because of this location, evidence
shows that mega earthquakes in other
subduction zones around the world (such
as the Indian Ocean earthquake in 2004)
have measured up to 9.0 on the Richter
scale, which is huge. Based on current
geological evidence in the area, these
massive quakes strike about every 300
to 500 years, and we are approximately
right in the middle of this time period.

 

Ever since the city of Vancouver and
other surrounding cities such as Portland,
Seattle, Victoria, and Tofino found out
about this news, precautions began to
take place. The mayor of Vancouver
arranged a construction contract to
seismically upgrade schools and city
owned buildings, although they are not
all completed yet as there are still some
buildings that could be dangerous and
vulnerable in an earthquake. However,
with every new major building being
built in Vancouver, construction workers
are doing the best they can to ensure the
building will be as safe as possible in the
event of an earthquake.

Schools, families, and workplaces
are now preparing for this predicted
quake. The massive earthquake drill
that occurred on January 26 at Douglas
and at several other institutions and
workplaces across Canada helped people
gain awareness and understanding of
this potential earthquake. An earthquake
could hit B.C. anytime, so Douglas
College and the other places that
participated in the earthquake drill are
advising people to prepare for possible
injury, damage, and survival for at least
72 hours without help. In order to help
prepare at home, it is best to know the
safe and dangerous areas.

For example, in the event of an
earthquake you should stay under a
heavy desk or an archway of a door, and
at the college you should do the same.

It is recommended that families keep
emergency supplies somewhere in their
home consisting of food, warm clothes,
etc. As well as an evacuation pack and
an emergency kit for your car. For more
information on how to prepare for this
earthquake, check out www.pep.bc.ca.

Douglas College uses the provincial
emergency preparedness program, which
states that you must drop cover and
hold during the event of an earthquake.
The same as elementary school; drop,
cover, and hold on for at least one minute
until the earthquake has completely
stopped (Be aware of aftershocks).
Douglas provides the preparedness
program online as well as an earthquake
simulation video and an earthquake

 

preparedness quiz for anyone who wants
more information. The college also offers
personal preparedness sessions, which
are presented by the Health and Safety
committees.

Friday’s events gained awareness of
the severity of earthquakes throughout
the globe. Because Vancouver is at an

 

extremely similar distance to the faults as
Japan is, geologist John Clauge at SFU
claims that “The predicted earthquake

of Vancouver will have exactly the same
effects.” The government of B.C. is urging
all residents to be prepared for this massive
quake.

 

 

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