Earthquakes are common in B.C. and more than 1,200 are recorded each year. Most are too small to be felt, but an earthquake capable of causing structural damage is expected to occur about once every ten years.

Each year, seismologists with the Geological Survey of Canada record and locate more than 1,000 earthquakes in western Canada. That is 2 or 3 earthquakes a day and most of these we never feel.

The earth's crust is made up of plates which are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle which are constantly moving, relative to one another, at speeds of about 2-10 cm/year or about as fast as your fingernails grow.

The plates can either slide past one another, collide, or they can move apart. Want to see how this works? Check out this BBC animated earthquake guide.

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, resulting in significant earthquake activity. Saanich could experience an earthquake that causes damage and injury.

It is important to know how to protect yourself in an earthquake, establish a plan and stock emergency supplies. The best way to learn is to take one of the free emergency preparedness workshops offered year around through the Saanich Emergency Program.  Check out the calendar on this site or call (250) 475-7140 for upcoming workshops.

There are a number of websites offering useful and detailed information about earthquakes and earthquake preparedness:

• The Provincial Emergency Program has detailed information on earthquake preparedness.
• The Nisqually earthquake in the Seattle area in 2001 was a significant earthquake event.
• The Natural Resources Canada website has answers to many frequently asked questions about earthquakes
• The US Geological Survey has information about earthquakes which have occurred in the last 7 days, around the world.

Sidney B.C. Pacific Geoscience Centre

Scientists at PGSC Sidney are engaged in geoscientific research aimed at increasing our understanding of the geological history, processes, and hazards affecting Western Canada. They provide useful information about their many research efforts, as well as help with understanding of the many aspects of geoscience that influence our everyday lives.