The CRD Completes “Modelling of Potential Tsunami
Inundation Limits and Run-Up”
Project for the Region
Project for the Region
Victoria,
BC–- The CRD’s Local Government Emergency Program
Advisory Commission (LG EPAC), has completed the “Modelling of Potential
Tsunami Inundation Limits and Run-Up” for the Capital Region using scientific
modelling acquired through AECOM, and Dr. K.F. Cheung from Applied Research
International (ARILLC) in Hawaii. The results of this model will provide
valuable information for the Capital Region in regards to potential tsunami
risk, emergency planning and will allow an opportunity to educate residents and
visitors on tsunami safety. The report and a map of the potential risk area are
available at www.crd.bc.ca.
“This
is an important planning tool as we improve our emergency preparedness and
coordination across the region,” said Planning and Protective Services
Committee Chair, Barb Desjardins.
A
tsunami is a series of long surge-like waves and is usually caused by an
underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. The most dangerous
tsunami threat in the Capital Region will follow a major earthquake in the
Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ), located about 100 km off Vancouver Island. Such
an earthquake (commonly called “The Big One”) will cause ground shaking lasting
between one and four minutes and will result in significant damage throughout
the region. Information on how to prepare for a major earthquake or for the
risk of tsunami is available at www.prepareyourself.ca,
a regional source for emergency planning information.
This
project has resulted in a hazard line that is based on a numerical model called
NEOWAVE, which won the 2009 tsunami model challenge at Oregon State University.
NeoWave is the official model for tsunami inundation mapping in Hawaii,
American Samoa, the U.S. Gulf Coast states and Chile. In addition to meeting
the National Tsunami Hazard Mapping Program (NTHMP) benchmarks, it has been
validated with measurements from the 2009 Samoa tsunami, 2010 Chile tsunami,
2010 Mentawai tsunami and 2011 Tohoku tsunami with publications in many
journals.
The
new hazard line does not differ largely from the hazard lines created in 2004,
but confirms the tsunami planning zones already in place. The best available
data suggests that in most areas of the Capital Region, 4m or 13 feet above
high tide is a safe elevation. The results of the model are intended to inform
emergency planning and to help the public understand areas most likely safe
from a tsunami.
To
find out more about hazard areas, tsunami safety, and general emergency
preparedness, go to PrepareYourself.ca or contact your local emergency program.
Emergency
Preparedness Week this year is May 5 – 11, 2013.
The
report will be discussed at the Planning, Transportation and Protective
Services Committee meeting on April 24th at 1.30pm.
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