Earthquake Preparedness Starts Before the Ground Shakes
Richmond is located in a region where earthquakes can occur without warning. While we cannot predict exactly when an earthquake will happen, we can take simple steps now to reduce injuries, protect our homes and know how to respond when shaking begins.
During an earthquake, remember three simple actions: Drop, Cover and Hold On.
Understand the Risk. Know What to Do.
Richmond is part of a seismically active region, and earthquakes can happen without warning. The shaking itself may last only a short time, but damage to buildings, roads, utilities and other infrastructure can create emergencies that continue long after the ground stops moving.
Richmond is not considered to be at significant risk from a major tsunami, but understanding tsunami warnings and knowing how to respond remains an important part of emergency preparedness. Coastal and shoreline areas may still experience unusual water movement, flooding or strong currents during a tsunami event affecting British Columbia.
Knowing the risks — and knowing what actions to take — can help protect you, your household and your community.
Liquefaction
During an earthquake, strong shaking can cause loose, water-saturated soils such as sand and silt to temporarily lose their strength and behave more like a fluid. This process is known as liquefaction.
When the ground loses strength, it may no longer fully support the roads, utilities and structures above it. Richmond may experience pockets of liquefaction during a significant earthquake.
Liquefaction does not mean that all ground will suddenly become liquid. Conditions vary from place to place, and impacts depend on the soil, groundwater and intensity of the shaking.
Home Hazard Hunt
Many earthquake injuries are caused not by the building itself, but by objects that fall, break or move during strong shaking. Taking a few simple steps around your home can reduce those risks before an earthquake occurs.
Walk through each room and look at what could fall and injure someone, start a fire, block an exit or cause significant damage. Secure or relocate hazards wherever possible.
Imagine the room during strong shaking. Ask yourself what could topple, slide, shatter or block the way out — then address those hazards before they become a problem.
Dike Stability
Richmond’s dike system is an important part of the City’s flood protection infrastructure. Because earthquakes can affect the ground beneath and around this infrastructure, the stability of the dikes has been studied as part of Richmond’s emergency planning.
Computer soil models predict that the dikes may sustain some damage during a significant earthquake. However, modelling indicates that they are expected to remain an intact barrier to flooding.
City staff have emergency equipment available to address critical dike damage following an earthquake or other significant event.
Tsunami
Although Richmond is an island community, the City is not considered to be at significant risk from a major tsunami.
Research into the Fraser River delta has found no evidence of a significant tsunami affecting the area for thousands of years. While other potential tsunami sources cannot be completely ruled out, a major tsunami affecting Richmond is considered highly unlikely.
Stay away from the shoreline and follow instructions from emergency officials. Even where major flooding is not expected, water levels and currents can become strong, unusual and unpredictable.
