Major earthquake could cause $75B in damage, study warns

• Elleanior wrote on 2013-10-30 07:40

  Canada is unprepared for a major earthquake that would cause between $60 billion and $75 billion in damage, a new study warns.
  The report, commissioned by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, says a major earthquake would have a significant economic impact on the region it hits, as well as a domino effect on the entire Canadian economy.
  Nearly 4,000 earthquakes hit Canada each year, but the vast majority are too small for humans to notice.
  However, there are seismically active regions both off the West Coast and in Quebec that could produce damaging earthquakes within the next 50 years. There is a 30 per cent chance of a major earthquake hitting B.C. in that time period, and a five to 15 per cent chance of a damaging quake hitting Quebec.
  It's the first study of its kind in 20 years, and highlights how unprepared Canada is for a major seismic event. The study looked at two scenarios – a major earthquake off the West Coast of British Columbia, and one in Quebec east of Quebec City.
  The report does not look at loss of life or casualties, focusing solely on the impact to the economy, but says it considers an earthquake "sufficiently threatening and devastating to warrant prudent planning and preparation now."
  According to the report, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the western coast of Vancouver Island would have a major impact on the economy. It estimates that scenario would cause $62 billion in direct damage in the region, primarily due to building damage, and $12.7 billion in indirect impact caused by things like supply chain interruption and infrastructure damage.
  Although most Canadians would consider a western earthquake most likely, there is a seismically active area in Quebec that could produce a lower-magnitude quake that would be less devastating but still potentially damaging.
  The report's eastern quake scenario models what would happen if a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit to the east of Quebec City, in the Charlevoix seismic zone. That earthquake could cause $61 billion in damage, $49 billion of which would be direct impact.

  
  
  

  According to the report, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the western coast of Vancouver Island would have a major impact on the economy.

  
  I never would have guessed that Vancouver Island being hit by a 9.0 earthquake would be damaging to the economy. You'd be feeling that on the other side of the God-damned continent!
• SlurpTASTY wrote on 2013-11-01 14:57
  I skimmed over that to see if it said Alberta anywhere, we already got fucked by the floods. :(
• TLCBonaparte wrote on 2013-11-01 15:35
  I read that as $758 and thought to myself that's some cheap earthquakes.
• Osayidan wrote on 2013-11-01 22:01
  At least the earthquake would apologize after.
• Elleanior wrote on 2013-11-02 00:33
  So we had an earthquake drill on wednesday, and half of the idiots in my class had the balls to just walk around while we were supposed to be under shelter. I was not happy.
• TLCBonaparte wrote on 2013-11-02 02:40

  Quote from Elleanior;1165221:

  So we had an earthquake drill on wednesday, and half of the idiots in my class had the balls to just walk around while we were supposed to be under shelter. I was not happy.

  
  
  You should punch them then run away while yelling "earthquakeeeeeee"
• uoi100 wrote on 2013-11-02 05:51

  Quote from Elleanior;1165221:

  So we had an earthquake drill on wednesday, and half of the idiots in my class had the balls to just walk around while we were supposed to be under shelter. I was not happy.

  
  
  Well I've done it a million times, I know what to do the first time.
• Elleanior wrote on 2013-11-02 06:25

  Quote from uoi100;1165273:

  Well I've done it a million times, I know what to do the first time.

  
  Yeah, it's like that all of the time. It's rather unfortunate however, the amount of people who don't take earthquake threats seriously though...
• Hanna wrote on 2013-11-02 21:07

  Quote from Osayidan;1165190:

  At least the earthquake would apologize after.

  
  
  Im dying
• 800mans wrote on 2013-11-03 05:57
  Wow gg I live in Vancouver LOL. VANCOUVER ISLAND PROTECT US FROM THE INCOMING SHOCKWAVES. Well I guess my geo teacher was always like, the big ones coming, the big ones coming and I'm happy that by that time ill be long gone!
• Elleanior wrote on 2013-11-03 12:50

  Quote from 800mans;1165603:

  Wow gg I live in Vancouver LOL. VANCOUVER ISLAND PROTECT US FROM THE INCOMING SHOCKWAVES. Well I guess my geo teacher was always like, the big ones coming, the big ones coming and I'm happy that by that time ill be long gone!

  
  
  "We have a window of opportunity."
  "Oh, okay. So, when will that be?"
  "It could be tomorrow... ...or 10,000 years from now."
  "... ...Well, thanks for the fucking heads-up!"
• Royale wrote on 2013-11-04 10:17
  [FONT=Arial][COLOR=RoyalBlue]I thought it's common knowledge Vancouver should be prepared for an huge inevitable earthquake and the tsunami. Vancouver island is located right in the cascadia subduction zone, part of the pacific ring of fire;so in terms of the likelihood of a high magnitude earthquake, Vancouver is as dangerous as japan. i am seriously worried for BC if they are not absolutely prepared for it. but altest you are having earthquake drills
  come to Toronto, it's safer here.
  [/FONT][/COLOR]
• Elleanior wrote on 2013-11-09 11:06

  Quote from Royale;1165953:

  [FONT=Arial][COLOR=RoyalBlue]I thought it's common knowledge Vancouver should be prepared for an huge inevitable earthquake and the tsunami. Vancouver island is located right in the cascadia subduction zone, part of the pacific ring of fire;so in terms of the likelihood of a high magnitude earthquake, Vancouver is as dangerous as japan. i am seriously worried for BC if they are not absolutely prepared for it. but altest you are having earthquake drills
  come to Toronto, it's safer here.
  [/FONT][/COLOR]

  
  
  Well, the problem is because when The Big One happens, it'll supposedly be blowing the scale past 11, and that means that no amount of preparation will do anything. Fairly common knowledge around here, so we don't worry about it.
• Reyaxris wrote on 2013-11-09 11:10
  I live in Vancouver Island... :llama_scared:
• Chockeh wrote on 2013-11-09 17:53

  Quote from Osayidan;1165190:

  At least the earthquake would apologize after.

  
  
  Not if the earthquake is Pauline Marois.