Listen to this article
Approximately 2 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
A network of sensors that can provide critical warning of a potentially serious earthquake is now operational in Quebec and eastern Ontario.
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) announced Thursday it is expanding its earthquake early warning system.
If an earthquake of magnitude five or greater is detected, the system springs into action and issues emergency telephone and broadcast alerts similar to tornado alerts or Amber Alerts.
These alerts can provide a warning several seconds before the shaking begins. give people time to take cover and protect themselves.
The department said it is also working to alert specific sectors so that, for example, trains can be delayed, operations suspended and bridges or tunnels closed.
Along with western British Columbia, where a warning system was launched last year, NRCan said eastern Ontario and southern Quebec are at moderate to high risk of earthquakes.
A large earthquake in such an urban environment could cause tens of billions of dollars in damage. NRCan said.
Canada has recorded one earthquake this year, a magnitude 5.2 off the coast of the Northwest Territories last month, according to Earthquakes Canada.
This century, only three such numbers have been recorded in this region: in 2002. 2010 And 2013.
Waves P and S
As the government explains, the sensors first detect the initial deep energy coming from an earthquake. known as the primary or P wave.
If there is a possibility of causing damage, a warning is given before secondary or S waves hit and cause damage.
In British Columbia, for example, The earthquake's P-waves, about 600 kilometers away, were detected about a minute before the S-waves arrived.
However, people closer to the earthquake's epicenter may not receive warning in time.
There have been several small but noticeable earthquakes in southwestern British Columbia over the past few weeks. For some, this raises questions about how best to prepare. CBC's Banit Braich looked at the earthquake early warning system and how best to make sure it works for you.
