Tsunamis In Canada

The British Columbia coast is the only part of Canada that is at serious risk of experiencing a Tsunami.  Located on the Pacific Coast, between Washington and Alaska, British Columbia does have measures in place in the event of a tsunami.  BC uses a system of Watch, Advisory, and Warning.

Tsunami watch would be triggered by seismic activity occurring.  In the evening of seismic activity, local communities are notified they may be in danger of a Tsunami.  This is the notification that communities should start preparing, and they should implement their emergency plans.  Evacuation is not necessary at this point, but people should start to prepare for that possibility.

Tsunami Advisory are issued when seismic activity has created currents and conditions that could impact coastal areas.  While this does not pose a significant threat to lives and structures, the conditions could become dangerous.  At this point, harbors, marinas, and beaches should be evacuated, and people should avoid the coast.

Tsunami Warnings are issues when there is impending danger to the coast, as well as communities nearby.  All public evacuation plans should be implemented, and all coastal areas must be evacuated.  Coastal roads will be closed, and beach access will be restricted to emergency vehicles.

The threat of tsunamis is always present on the western coast of Canada, due to the 3 intersecting faults.  Currently, the tsunami warning system in BC is managed by the United States Department of Commerce.  British Columbia is included in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which is detects tsunamis and provides notification to all countries along the Pacific Ocean.  The Emergency Management British Columbia is in charge of receiving these alerts, and informing those communities at risk.

http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_preparedness/Tsunami_Brochure/Prepare_for_Tsunami.html

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/tsunami/tsunamis_canada.asp

Volcanic Activity in Canada

There has only been one documented volcanic eruption in the late 1700's, however there are many dormant volcanoes along the western coast of Canada.  The Tseax Cone Volcano occurred about 1775, and was responsible for approximately 2,000 deaths.  The lava destroyed several villages and created toxic gas around the area.  Lava flows engulfed the Nass river, forever changing the landscape.  

Currently, there are six volcanoes along the convergent plate boundary that separates the Juan de Fuca and North American plates.  While this area is considered to be in the “Ring of Fire” that is notorious for volcanic activity, these major events have occurred in Washington and Alaska.  The 1980 Mt. St. Hellens eruption occurred just 400 km from the US Canada border.  Mt. Baker, which is just 40 km from the US/Canada border, would be the biggest volcanic risk to the Canadian people in the province of British Columbia. 

Mt. Baker experienced a minor eruption in 1870, and steam can be seen coming from the top peak on a cold day.  Although this does not indicate a pending eruption, this does illustrate that Mt. Baker could erupt someday.  While an eruption of Mt. Baker would likely not cause significant destruction in British Columbia, there would be secondary effects.  A thick layer of ash would impair the air quality of British Columbia, as well as stress many of their emergency resources.  The risk of volcanic activity is very low, however dramatic seismic activity could change all of that.  

http://www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_preparedness/volcano/volcano-hazards-in-bc.pdf

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/ntrl-hzrds/vlcnc-rptn-eng.aspx

http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/baker/baker_geo_hist_115.html

http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/blog/posting.asp?ID=439