Truths to make your earth quake

Recent seismic activity is only the beginning

 

By Jacey Gibb, Opinions Editor

Dp I have your attention Vancouver?

On September 9th, a earthquake
clocked in off the coast of Vancouver Island at
a magnitude of 6.4, with people as far inland
as Burnaby reporting that they felt tremors.
Though no real damage was done and the
majority of people have already forgotten about
the event, everyone needs to be aware that a
more devastating earthquake is likely due in
our lifetimes, with scientists predicting that the
Pacific Northwest has about a thirty percent
chance of being hit with one within the next fifty
years.

Assuming you were introduced to the theory
of tectonic plates somewhere along the way to
college, I'll skip to the more specific parts. Off
of the west coast, an oceanic plate (the Juan de
Fuca plate) is being forced under our continental
plate (the North American plate) in an area
called a convergent zone. As the oceanic plate is
pushed further and further underneath, it melts
from intense heat and is unable to withstand the
incredible amounts.of stress that comes as a result
of the two plates moving past each other. This
process, known as subduction, is occurring right
now off of the coast in the Cascadia Subduction
Zone. Eventually the crust will break, resulting in
what we refer to as an earthquake.

Unfortunately, a high magnitude earthquake

is not our only problem. Earthquakes are usually
followed by tsunamis, large waves from the
ocean that have been caused by some form of
water displacement. Oftentimes, tsunamis and
the flooding that comes with them cause more
damage than the initial earthquakes. If you
experience an earthquake and are in an area close
to sea level, I would suggest not standing around
in amazement that you’re alright. Instead, either
try to flee the area in favour of somewhere further
inland. If this isn’t possible, buildings with high
elevation are your new best friends.

When I pitched this article idea to my editor,
he asked if it would be the kind of article that
basically just scares him, to which I replied “Well,
does reality scare you?” I’m not suggesting that
you stop what you’re doing this instant, rush
home to grab your cat and then make a frantic
break for the central prairies, but everyone should
be more aware of what is likely to happen.

Have an emergency kit prepared that has at
least three days of water in it, determine where
you and your significant others will meet up
following the earthquake (my roommate and I
suggested meeting at the Cambie) and revise
what you’re supposed to do during the initial
event. I know I sound like a preachy pessimist
here but we’ll see whose laughing when you’re
stuck without drinking water post-quake and
I’m sharing a pitcher with my roommate, talking
about how we survived “the big one.”

 

 

Police department proposes preposterous plans for Vancouver

New safety measures may end up hurting our city

 

By Jacey Gibb, Opinions Editor

efore anyone jumps to the conclusion that I’m

one of those anarchist types, I just want to say

that I understand that the riots that happened
immediately after the Stanley Cup game aren’t
something that should be taken lightly. However, I do
think that some people are brandishing their pitchforks
a bit too hastily when it comes to solutions for how
to make sure that events like this don’t happen in the
future.

Earlier this month, the Vancouver Police
Department released a full report analyzing the riots
and offering solutions to how cases like these could be
avoided.

Probably the most surprising course of action being
suggested is that airport style security begin to take
effect whenever major events are being put on. This is
meant to prevent people from taking alcohol onto the
skytrains and hopefully decrease the amount of booze
that typically pours into the downtown core during such
events. Now, is it just me or does this strategy have more
holes in it than a glow-in-the-dark pitch and putt? If
they begin screening people at skytrains, party goers are
simply going to avoid the stations and allot enough time
to walk instead. Even worse, some people may take to
their vehicles to get downtown and then we’re facing the
danger of more drunk drivers on the streets.

Also, if the main goal is to prevent alcohol from
being taken onto the skytrain, then what is preventing
people from simply getting sauced before hand and then

making their way downtown?

I’m sure the majority of you have had the pleasure
of riding public transit while a special event was going
on at least once in your life, so you know how far
beyond capacity the system already is. If screenings
were introduced and people had to go through the
additional process before boarding the skytrain, I’m
fairly certain our transit system would implode. It’s
simply not logical to hope to filter such a high volume of
people in an efficient amount of time.

Another solution that was briefly mentioned but has
had less attention drawn to it is the thought of banning
certain age groups from large events. It seems young
people are taking a large amount of heat, as even in the
report it is mentioned that high concentrations of “the
‘hooligan’ demographic” should be avoided. As someone
in the “hooligan” age range, I’m personally offended
that my generation is being seen as prime offenders.
Sure, we might consume more alcohol than say, children
or the elderly, but it hardly seems fair to point fingers at
a specific group.

I’m sure the. Vancouver Police Department and the
city are under an incredible amount of pressure to make
sure history doesn’t repeat itself in any upcoming major
events, so the various proposals trickling into the media
might just be their way of reassuring the public that
they aren’t taking the situation lightly. People need to
remember that instances like this aren’t exactly everyday
occurrences in Vancouver and that we don’t have to
start adopting ridiculous security measures in order to
maintain the peace.

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