Quake early-warning system coming to B.C. next year, 300 years after last megathrust event

An earthquake early-warning system that will send alerts to cellphones and emergency broadcast systems is expected to be in place in B.C. by early next year.

Natural Resources Canada said the system could give coastal communities several minutes of warning before the shock waves from the most damaging earthquake — a megathrust temblor — hits.

Those extra minutes could save lives by getting people into safe positions and allow automated systems to divert planes from landing and stop traffic on bridges, said seismologist Alison Bird of the Geological Survey of Canada’s subdivision in Sidney.

The early-warning system is designed to detect earthquakes through a network of sensors — some planted in the ground and others installed in buildings — that will estimate the shaking hazards and alert communities at risk.

Bird said several dozen sensors are being installed around Vancouver Island. About 100 sensors will cover the B.C. coast and Lower Mainland, with the system expected to go live in early 2024.