Earthquake Hazard GIS Modelling in the Greater Vancouver Regional District

Introduction

According to Natural Resources Canada, an average of one earthquake occurs in southwest B.C. but it is too small to be felt. In the past, there were 2 biggest earthquakes: a magnitude of 7.3 in 1946 centred beneath central Vancouver Island, and in 1700 A.D that affected the entire coast from northern California to southern B.C. Since no damaging earthquakes occurred for awhile, scientists predicted the subducting Juan de Fuca and North America plates off the B.C. Coast are locked. If so, strain is building up and a possible large earthquake will rupture. This rupture will possibly affect southern B.C. and the Washington/Oregon areas of the USA.

Different rumuors (about the possible effect on southwest B.C) arose from this predicted large earthquake. Some say Vancouver islands will break apart and sink, or split into two off the Port Alberni Inlet (Source: Geography department of University of Hawaii). Some say Richmond, Delta and other floodplains will all sink due to liquefaction.

Since GIS is designed to analyze and model spatial phenomena like earthquakes, I would like to forcast earthquake hazards in B.C. by developing a mapping model. I've choosen Greater Vancouver Regional District as my sample modelling area. This earthquake hazard accessement model was created based on different sources that are discussed in the Overview Section.