A recent government report from British Columbia paints a grim picture of the potential devastation that could occur if a massive earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.0, were to hit off the coast of Vancouver Island. The report predicts over 3,400 fatalities and more than 10,000 injuries, along with staggering costs of $128 billion. It foresees the destruction of 18,000 buildings and significant damage to 10,000 others.
This analysis, part of the B.C. disaster and climate risk assessment, highlights the alarming likelihood of such a catastrophic event in the region. The report suggests that the most severe damage would be concentrated on Vancouver Island and a stretch of the mainland including Vancouver, extending from the U.S. border to the Sunshine Coast.
In addition to the earthquake itself, the report warns of a subsequent tsunami that would hit the west coast of Vancouver Island within minutes, followed by impacts on the east coast of the island and the Lower Mainland shortly after. The aftermath of the quake is also predicted to bring major aftershocks, landslides, liquefaction damage, fires, and floods.
History shows that a similar earthquake occurred in the region in 1700, with the likelihood of a comparable event in the next 30 years estimated between two to ten percent. The report serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and mitigation efforts in the face of such natural disasters.
Keyphrase: earthquake risks British Columbia