On February 21, 2025, a 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck British Columbia’s South Coast, with its epicenter located approximately 27 kilometers northeast of the Sunshine Coast. The tremor was felt across the region, including the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Seismic Preparedness and Building Resilience
In the immediate aftermath, the City of Vancouver initiated inspections of key infrastructure, particularly bridges, to assess potential damage. Structural engineering consultants conducted thorough evaluations and confirmed that no damage was found on Vancouver’s bridges.
Dr. Tony Yang, a professor of civil engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the lead researcher of UBC Smart Structures, explained that such inspections focus on identifying visual structural damages, including cracks in walls, foundations, and columns. He emphasized the importance of these inspections: “If there is damage, and it’s not repaired, the next earthquake — which is inevitable — could cause a much bigger disaster.”
The event has underscored the critical need for seismic preparedness in the region. Dr. Yang emphasized that while many structures built in the past five decades adhere to national earthquake resistance codes, which are updated every five years to help prevent collapse, these standards do not fully protect against major damage from larger quakes.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve earthquake resilience, UBC Civil Engineering continues to contribute valuable research and insights on structural safety and emergency preparedness. Our latest findings, shared in discussions around BC ShakeOut Day, provide a deeper understanding of how communities can enhance seismic resilience
Public Awareness and Safety Measures
In light of the earthquake, public awareness regarding appropriate responses during seismic events has been amplified. Residents are advised to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” during tremors: drop to their hands and knees, cover their head and neck, and hold on to sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. Ensuring that heavy objects are secured and having an emergency plan in place are also vital components of personal preparedness.
The earthquake also brought attention to the performance of Canada’s Earthquake Early Warning system. Some residents reported inconsistencies in receiving alerts, prompting discussions about the system’s reliability and coverage. Dr. Yang noted that while advancements in earthquake alert technology have improved early warning capabilities, real-time alerts are still not fully optimized. He emphasized that the current technology in 2025 should be capable of ensuring consistent and reliable notifications for all users, reducing discrepancies in alert distribution.
Beyond alerting residents, the system has the potential to trigger automatic safety measures for critical infrastructure. Dr. Yang highlighted that early warnings can enable immediate actions such as halting traffic from entering bridges or tunnels, thereby mitigating risks during seismic events.
The recent earthquake serves as a pertinent reminder of the seismic vulnerabilities present in British Columbia. Through rigorous infrastructure assessments, public education, and research, steps are being taken to enhance the region’s preparedness and resilience against future seismic events.