determine the magnitude an direction of the anchoring force

Go through your home, imagining what could happen to each part of it, if shaken by a violent earthquake. To find out what the hazards are in your region, visit the ‘Know the risks' section of the GetPrepared.ca website. To get prepared for an earthquake, you should know the risks specific to your community and your region to help you better prepare. Fire alarms and sprinkler systems may be activated.Unsecured light fixtures and ceiling panels may fall.Furnishings and unsecured objects could fall over or slide across the floor or be thrown with damaging force across the room.On upper floors, movement will be slower but the building will move farther from side to side. Lower floors will shake rapidly, much like residential homes. If you live in a high rise or a multi-storey building, you may experience more sway and less shaking than in a smaller, single-storey building.You may feel dizzy and be unable to walk during the earthquake.If you are far away from the source, you might see swaying buildings or hear a roaring sound.Whether far away or close to the source, you will probably feel shaking followed by a rolling motion, much like being at sea.The ground or floor will move, perhaps violently.These can last up to several minutes and constitute a natural disaster if its epicentre is near a densely populated area, or its magnitude sufficiently large for the region.If you are close to its source, you may hear a loud bang followed by shaking.You may feel a slight quiver under your feet if you are outside.Ceiling lights may move and some minor rattling of objects may occur in your home.These can last only a few seconds and represent no emergency risk.After reading this guide, keep it in a handy spot, such as in your emergency kit. Planning for an earthquake will also help prepare you for many other types of emergencies. Get an emergency kit, so that you and your family can be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.Make a family emergency plan, so that everyone knows what to do, and where to go in case of an emergency.Find out what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.Since no one can predict with certainty when an earthquake will happen, it is important to get prepared in advance. In fact, a strong quake near one of Canada's major urban areas would likely be the most destructive natural disaster this country could experience.Įveryone has a responsibility to protect their homes and their families. Even a magnitude 6 earthquake could do extensive damage in a built-up area. In the past 100 years, at least nine earthquakes in or near Canada have registered a magnitude greater than 7. Lawrence and Ottawa River valleys, as well as parts of the three northern territories. Other areas prone to earthquakes are the St. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2011Īpproximately 5,000 earthquakes are recorded in Canada each year, most of them small ones.Whileearthquakes can occur in any Canadian region, British Columbia is most at risk from a major earthquake. Please note: Publications are not available in regular print format. The Canadian Red Cross, Natural Resources Canada, and the St.

This publication was produced by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with: Step 1: Know the Risks and Get Prepared.

Determine the magnitude an direction of the anchoring force