Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) has received a $5-million investment from the province of British Columbia to increase the development and use of earthquake early warning systems, to ultimately help communities better protect themselves when large earthquakes occur.
The one-time project funding allows the ONC to add more seismic sensors on land and along the seafloor as well as to help integrate the sensors for a more robust collection and analysis of seismic activity.
Currently, the ONC collects data from both offshore and coastal strong motion sensors that link into networks of land based sensors from other agencies, including those owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources Canada and the University of British Columbia. The $5-million investment looks to bolster the integrated network of earthquake sensors, increase the reliability and effectiveness of the data and analysis that comes from them, feed it to a centralized source that in turn can immediately deliver early detection notifications prior to the arrival of the waves of an earthquake.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Emergency Management BC to bring our world-leading ocean technology to save lives and reduce damages when an earthquake strikes. Making earthquake early warning a reality is rooted in Ocean Networks Canada’s vision to enhance life on Earth by providing knowledge and leadership that deliver solutions for science, industry and society,” said Dr. Kate Moran, president and CEO of Ocean Networks Canada.
