Category Archives: News

Experiences of Haida Gwaii Earthquake Witnesses

  • “It wasn’t a big shake — it just was a continuing rolling feeling that went on for … perhaps a minute.” — Robin Rowland, Kitimat, B.C.
  • “It almost felt like a massive wind was making the whole home shake.” — Leisha Grebinski, Prince Rupert, B.C.
  • “It started off with just a small rumble … and then things started to shake a little, and then things started shaking a lot.” — Peter Mark, Masset, B.C.
  • “[I] was sitting on my couch, with the laptop, when I started to feel motion that made me feel queasy. Noticed that our heavy swag lamp was swaying back and forth. Stood up and could feel the motion through the carpeting. We live in a basement suite and I think that the motion lasted about 15 to 20 seconds, perhaps.” — Leslie Allen, Prince George, B.C.
  • “Felt a ‘swoon’ — at the same time everything hanging started to sway so strongly that it took 30 minutes plus for them to settle back into equilibrium.” — Sharon MacKenzie, Quadra Island, B.C.
  • “The whole house was flexing and oscillating. The lights went out and the shaking continued and I could hear all kinds of crashing.” — Nick Finley, Tlell, Haida Gwaii, B.C.
  • “The house seemed to be moving — plants, light fixtures, sun catchers in the window swayed and clattered … About 10 minutes before they stopped swaying.” — Marion Lawson, Kamloops, B.C.
  • “The whole house swayed for over a minute. My wife said it felt like she had sea legs. Phones were out for a short time but we never lost power.” — Ken Newman.

M7.7 – 139km S of Masset, Canada

From http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/usb000df7n#summary

M7.7 – 139km S of Masset, Canada

2012-10-28 03:04:10 UTC

Canada
52.769°N, 131.927°W
Depth: 17.5km (10.9mi)

Event Time

  1. 2012-10-28 03:04:10 UTC
  2. 2012-10-27 20:04:10 UTC-07:00 at epicenter
  3. 2012-10-27 20:04:10 UTC-07:00 system time

Location

52.769°N 131.927°W depth=17.5km (10.9mi)

Nearby Cities

  1. 139km (86mi) S of Masset, Canada
  2. 202km (126mi) SSW of Prince Rupert, Canada
  3. 293km (182mi) SW of Terrace, Canada
  4. 556km (345mi) NW of Campbell River, Canada
  5. 635km (395mi) SSE of Juneau, Alaska

Tectonic Summary

The October 28th, 2012 (October 27 at the location of the epicenter) M 7.7 earthquake south of Masset, Canada, occurred as a result of oblique-thrust faulting near the plate boundary between the Pacific and North America plates. At the location of this event, the Pacific plate moves approximately north-northwest with respect to the North America plate at a rate of approximately 50 mm/yr.

This earthquake is likely associated with relative motion across the Queen Charlotte fault system offshore of British Columbia, Canada. Studies of tectonics in this region suggest plate motions are taken up by strike slip faulting parallel to the plate boundary, accompanied by lesser amounts of thrust motion to accommodate the oblique nature of the plate motion vector between the two plates with respect to the orientation of the main plate boundary fault structure. This oblique component of plate motion may involve either underthrusting of the western edge of the Pacific Plate beneath North America, or be taken up on crustal faults within the North America plate. The October 28th earthquake is consistent with either scenario.

This region of the Pacific:North America plate boundary has hosted 7 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater over the past 40 years – the largest of which was a M 6.6 earthquake in 2009, 80 km to the south east of the 2012 earthquake. In 1949, a M 8.1 earthquake occurred closer to the Pacific:North America plate boundary, likely as a result of strike-slip faulting, approximately 100 km northwest of the October 28th earthquake, near the northern extent of Haida Gwaii region (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands).

Winter Weather is Here!

Get your car ready for winter driving conditions by:

  • Make sure your tires are in good shape and are rated for the conditions.  Check your spare tire too.
  • Carry chains where required by law.  Learn how to install the chains properly before you need them.
  • Have all belts, hoses, brakes, and steering components checked by a licensed mechanic.
  • Change your wind-shield wipers.
  • Top up all fluids to the proper levels.  Carry extra wind-shield fluid.
  • Check your safety kit for blankets, water, food, extra medication, first aid supplies, and road markers

Keep care of yourself by:

  • Not driving when sleepy, or under the influence.
  • Not driving in poor conditions when it is not necessary.
  • Planning your trip carefully and sharing your route with friends and family.
  • NOT TEXTING or TALKING on a cell phone.  Pull over safely when using a phone.

Learn more about road safety at the RCMP Road Safety Tips page.

[notice]

If your are travelling in B.C. be sure to follow https://twitter.com/DriveBC & https://twitter.com/wxnetwork_BC for current conditions.

Check out the BC Highway Cameras at http://www.drivebc.ca/ and plan your route accordingly.

DriveBC Map

[/notice]

 

Public Advisory: Increased flows on Nanaimo River

INFORMATION BULLETIN

2012FOR0183-001459
Sept. 28, 2012

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

 

Public Advisory: Increased flows on Nanaimo River

 

NANAIMO – The public should use extra caution when using the Nanaimo River for recreation next week, due to increased water flows.

 

Starting on Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, Harmac Pacific and the City of Nanaimo will be releasing more water from two reservoirs to improve fish access through the rapids into the Nanaimo Lakes spawning areas.

 

 

[warning]

Anyone using the river – especially boaters and swimmers – should be aware of the increased water flows and use extra caution. Increased flows can combine with storms to create strong currents and undertows. The higher water levels are also expected to raise water levels at the Highway 19 bridge later in the week by about 0.3 metres (one foot). The higher water levels may last for two to three days.

 

[/warning]

 

Harmac Pacific will be releasing water from its Fourth Lake reservoir, increasing flows from 2.83 to 7.07 cubic metres per second (100 to 250 cubic feet per second) starting Monday, Oct. 1. The City of Nanaimo will be releasing water from its Jump Lake reservoir, increasing flows from 1.00 to approximately 6.80 cubic metres per second (35 to 240 cubic feet per second) starting Wednesday, Oct. 3.

 

Water release dates vary each year, depending on the number of fish entering the river and river flows resulting from rain. Present river flows are slightly below average for this time of year. Nanaimo Hatchery staff are constantly monitoring fish movements in the river by conducting fish-count swims.

 

These fall pulse releases of water have been taking place for more than 20 years and are the result of an agreement between several agencies, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the City of Nanaimo and the Snuneymuxw First Nation, as well as Nanaimo Forest Products, which operates Harmac Pacific.

 

 

Contact:  Arnis DambergsWater Technical Officer

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

250 751-3165

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

6.2 Mwp – GULF OF CALIFORNIA

6.2 Mwp – GULF OF CALIFORNIA

Preliminary Earthquake Report
Magnitude 6.2 Mwp
Date-Time
  • 25 Sep 2012 23:45:26 UTC
  • 25 Sep 2012 17:45:26 near epicenter
  • 25 Sep 2012 15:45:26 standard time in your timezone
Location 24.835N 110.152W
Depth 10 km
Distances
  • 75 km (47 miles) N (11 degrees) of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • 154 km (96 miles) E (98 degrees) of Constitución, Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • 155 km (96 miles) SW (220 degrees) of Ahome, Sinaloa, Mexico
  • 1086 km (675 miles) SE (140 degrees) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Location Uncertainty Horizontal: 13.7 km; Vertical 1.9 km
Parameters Nph = 441; Dmin = 470.7 km; Rmss = 1.12 seconds; Gp = 69°
M-type = Mwp; Version = A
Event ID us c000cw0l

For updates, maps, and technical information, see:
Event Page
or
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

National Earthquake Information Center
U.S. Geological Survey
http://neic.usgs.gov/

Trepanier Forest Fire – News Release 17

 posted by: Public Info. Officer   at Wednesday, September 12, 2012 4:11:00 PM

 The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre reminds that with the lifting of the final Evacuation Order at 5:00 pm this afternoon, the residents returning to their home will be on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes with little or short notice. Continue reading Trepanier Forest Fire – News Release 17