A new network of sensors has been activated in Quebec and eastern Ontario to provide early warning of potential earthquakes, as announced by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). This Earthquake Early Warning System springs into action if it detects an earthquake with a magnitude of five or higher, sending out emergency alerts via phone and broadcast systems similar to those used for tornadoes and Amber Alerts. These alerts could offer valuable seconds of advance notice for individuals to seek shelter and protect themselves.
NRCan is also collaborating on sector-specific warnings to enable proactive measures like holding trains, pausing surgeries, and closing bridges or tunnels in the event of an impending earthquake. The department highlighted the moderate to high earthquake risk in eastern Ontario and southern Quebec, emphasizing that a major earthquake in urban areas could result in significant financial losses.
According to Earthquakes Canada, only one earthquake above magnitude five has been reported in Canada this year, a magnitude 5.2 quake off the Northwest Territories coast. Notably, the region has experienced only three earthquakes of similar strength in the 21st century, occurring in 2002, 2010, and 2013.
The sensors in the system detect the primary seismic waves, known as P waves, which precede the destructive secondary S waves. In British Columbia, for instance, P waves from a quake 600 kilometers away were detected approximately a minute before the arrival of the S waves. However, individuals in close proximity to the earthquake’s epicenter may not receive alerts in time.
The implementation of this early warning system aims to enhance preparedness and response to potential earthquakes in the region, underscoring the importance of timely alerts and proactive measures to mitigate risks and safeguard lives and infrastructure.