EARTHQUAKES IN B.C.

WHAT CAUSES EARTHQUAKES

INTENSITY & MAGNITUDE

MERCALLI SCALE

RICHTER SCALE

WHERE DO EARTHQUAKES OCCUR?

MEGATHRUST EARTHQUAKE?

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

MINIMIZING THE RISK!

Make your home ready for an earthquake

Examine your home, decide what could happen in an earthquake.

• Teach everybody in the family how to turn off the water and electricity. 

• Clearly label the on-off position for the water, electricity and gas. 

• If your home is equipped with natural gas: tie or tape the appropriate wrench on or near the pipe, to turn off the gas, if necessary. (Don't shut off the gas unless there is a leak or a fire. If the gas is turned off, don't turn it on again. That must be done by a qualified technician.) 

• Teach everybody in the family how to use a fire extinguisher.

If you live in an apartment block or a multi-storey building, you may experience more sway and less shaking than in a smaller, single-storey building.  

Work with your building manager or condominium board to decide how best to "quake-safe" your unit. Seek advice from professionals (building engineers, architects, emergency preparedness authorities) if you are unsure about what to do.

Prepare your home | Home hazards | Home Emergency Kit
Personal Emergency Kit | Automobile Emergency Kit
Workplace Emergency Kit | Contacts & Things to Remember