Frequently Asked Questions
Is there really a threat of a large earthquake striking Vancouver?Yes. BC’s southwest corner is the most active earthquake region in Canada, with more than 200 earthquakes being recorded every year. Most are too small to be felt, but several have been magnitude 6 or greater during the past 100 years. The largest and most recent major event occurred in 1946 when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake rocked central Vancouver Island. If an earthquake of similar magnitude occurred near a densely populated area like Vancouver or Victoria, damage could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Vancouver is located in a seismically-active region which has experienced major earthquakes in the past and can anticipate more in the future. Crustal type earthquakes like Seattle's in 2001, with magnitudes in the range of 6 to 7, typically occur every 30-40 years in the Pacific Northwest. These tend to be localized but can cause significant damage to older buildings. Larger subduction earthquakes, originating west of Vancouver Island, can reach magnitudes of 8 and even higher. This type occurs less frequently, roughly every 500-600 years, but has the potential to cause massive damage and disruption throughout the region.
ref: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/cbofficial/sesmicupgrade.htm