Saanich could experience an earthquake that causes damage and injury.
We get a lot of earthquakes B.C.: more than 1,200 each year. That works out to three earthquakes a day, but most are too small to be felt.
- See the map of the most recent earthquakes in western Canada
Experts with the Geological Survey of Canada predict that an earthquake capable of causing structural damage on Canada’s west coast, including Saanich, could happen about once every ten years.
How Earthquakes Happen
The earth's crust is made up of plates which are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. These constantly move, at speeds of about 2 – 10 cm/year. That’s about as fast as your fingernails grow.
The plates can either slide past one another, collide, or move apart.
- Watch this BBC animated earthquake guide to see it in action.
The west coast of Canada is one of the few areas in the world where all three of these types of plate movements take place.
Protect Yourself
Before an Earthquake
During an Earthquake
Drop, Cover and Hold On.
Experts agree: This is the best way to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.
- DROP to the ground before the earthquake drops you!
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table.
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
Earthquake safety for kids
Important points to note
- Don’t try to move; instead immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are.
- Earthquakes occur without any warning.
- They may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl. It will most likely knock you to the ground where you happen to be.
- You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be start of the big one so Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!
As with anything, practice makes perfect. To be ready to protect yourself immediately when the ground starts to shake, practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On as children do in school at least once each year.
ShakeOut BC has some great information to get ready to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
