A new report from the City of Vancouver and Natural Resources Canada has outlined how a 7.2-magnitude earthquake could impact Vancouver, and it highlights six neighborhoods in high-risk areas.
In the report, Vancouver’s West End, Yaletown, the Downtown Eastside, Kitsilano, Fairview, and Mount Pleasant have the highest risk of damage from a large earthquake.
Seismic experts at UBC Civil Engineering have provided valuable insights on the recent City of Vancouver Council Report on Seismic Risk, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to strengthen vulnerable buildings and infrastructure against earthquake damage.
Billions in damage, thousands of injuries: Report maps out Vancouver earthquake risks – Global News, November 17
The report highlights the severe risks a large earthquake poses to the city, estimating potential damage to over 6,100 buildings and up to $17 billion in costs. Dr. Shahria Alam, a UBC Civil Engineering professor, commended the city’s identification of high-risk structures but noted that addressing the issue will require significant government funding and incentives.
Some private Vancouver buildings are at serious risk of earthquake damage, professor says – CBC News, November 11
Dr. Perry Adebar, a professor of structural and earthquake engineering at the University of British Columbia, says some older buildings in Vancouver are in a frightening state, after the city released a report on the seismic risk in privately owned properties
‘Existential threat’: How a big earthquake would devastate Vancouver – Vancouver Sun, November 12
Dr. Carlos Ventura, a UBC Civil Engineering professor and expert in earthquake engineering, emphasized the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities, noting that previous reports often failed to prompt sustained action. He expressed hope that the city’s recent focus, including hiring a lead seismic planner, might drive real progress. Ventura cautioned that without significant financial support and political will, Vancouver faces a situation similar to past seismic disasters in Turkey and New Zealand, which led to long-lasting impacts.