Six seconds doesn’t sound like a lot of time but when it comes to earthquakes, it can mean the difference between life and death.
UBC researchers have developed an earthquake early-warning system that is being tested in dozens of B.C. schools. During Tuesday night’s 4.7-magnitude temblor, they learned the technology shows promise.
Kent Johansen was under a table with his daughter before his East Vancouver home started shaking Tuesday night. That’s because he’s part of a team of researchers that installed 25 delicate sensors throughout the Lower Mainland. Those sensors, which are buried two metres underground and detect primary waves (P-waves), are constantly being monitored in his home.
According to Johansen, that early wave “travels at about six kilometers per second whereas the S-wave, which is the thing that moves and destroys buildings, is moving at about half the speed,” Johansen said.
WATCH: UBC researcher explains earthquake detection system
There is a simpler early-warning system that has been around forever. Many animals can sense that primary wave and often give a warning with a bark or unusual behaviour.
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“They’re very sensitive to vibrations because they’re still feeling that they’re being hunted and often they’re also laying on the ground,” said Alison Bird of Natural Resources Canada.
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“What they often feel is that P-wave–which is the primary or presure wave–that first initial jolt that comes from an earthquake. And we may not feel that because it’s very subtle.”
If a 9.0-magnitude megaquake hits B.C., the epicentre will probably be 80 to 100 kilometres off the west coast of Vancouver Island. That means sensors could pick up the primary wave about a minute or more before buildings start rocking in downtown Vancouver.
That’s why there is an argument that B.C. should spend more money on earthquake detection.
Understanding earthquakes: How and why they happen
Johansen says Japan spends about $1.3 billion a year on earthquake warnings and preparedness.
“When we got into this project about three years ago, I think British Columbia was using about $80,000 a year,” he said.
Those following the research project on Twitter would have automatically been notified within a couple of seconds that an earthquake was imminent.
It’s hoped that warning window will only get wider with more research.
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