Stay Safe: Canada’s New Earthquake Early Warning System
Earthquakes are one of the most devastating natural disasters that can strike at any time. Canada, which is located in a seismically active region, is prone to earthquakes. Therefore, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is developing a national Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system to detect earthquakes, estimate the shaking hazard, and notify the public of expected shaking. The system provides seconds to tens-of-seconds of notice before strong shaking starts, which can help reduce the risk of injuries, deaths, and property losses.
The Need for an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) System
The EEW system works by detecting the first energy to radiate from an earthquake, the P-wave, which rarely causes damage. Seismic sensors transmit this information to data centres where a computer calculates the earthquake’s location and magnitude, and the expected ground shaking across the region. This method can provide warning before the arrival of secondary S-waves, which bring the strong shaking that can cause most of the damage.
How the EEW System Works
The EEW system will send out alerts to the public through national alerting systems and other means. Government Operations Centres and Critical Infrastructure Operators may use notifications to trigger automated responses to protect people and property. The system is designed to alert for potentially harmful earthquakes, including for strong shaking from earthquakes outside Canada’s borders. NRCan is, therefore, working with US partners and will be using the United States Geological Survey’s EEW software.
It is important to note that EEW systems cannot predict earthquakes, but they can provide up to tens of seconds of warning by detecting an earthquake immediately after it occurs. In general, it is best to assume the shaking is imminent and take immediate protective actions. Earthquakes generating only low levels of shaking will not produce EEW alerts. Additionally, sites very close to an earthquake’s epicentre may be in the event’s “late alert zone”, within which alerting is not possible.
Recipients of an EEW alert should assume strong shaking is imminent. There are several protective actions people and organizations can take within seconds of notice. Some of these might be automated, in the case of critical infrastructure and other high-risk operations, triggering automated actions. For people, this will be to Drop, Cover and Hold On.
Protective Actions During an Earthquake
It is crucial to know what to do in the event of an earthquake. The Canadian government recommends the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique. When you feel the ground shake or receive an alert, immediately drop to your hands and knees. If you’re inside, stay inside – don’t run outdoors or to other rooms. Cover your head and neck with your arm and take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture. If there is no shelter nearby, crawl to the nearest interior corner or wall while continuing to protect your head and neck. Hold on to your shelter, covering your head and neck until the shaking stops.
In conclusion, the Canadian Earthquake Early Warning system is a vital tool that can help save lives and reduce property damage from earthquakes. It is important to know the protective actions to take when receiving an EEW alert or feeling the ground shake. By being aware of the EEW system and preparedness techniques, Canadians can be better equipped to mitigate the effects of earthquakes.
Further Information
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