The B次元官网网址渆xciting new discoveryB次元官网网址� of a fault line running across the Saanich Peninsula can build on hazard models and remind residents to be ready for a different kind of earthquake.

Focus in the region is frequently on the hazard of mega-thrust earthquakes, said Theron Finley, an earthquake geologist and University of Victoria PhD candidate who is among the authors of the research published Dec. 6.

A secondary hazard lies in crustal faults, such as the newly identified XEOLXELEK-Elk Lake fault. While smaller they tend to be a lot shallower and in this case far closer to urban centres, posing a hazard.

B次元官网网址淥ur research group focuses on looking for faults of this nature and thereB次元官网网址檚 not been a lot of work done on this,B次元官网网址� Finley said.

The report comes nearly two years after they physically investigated a segment of the fault with a trench near the shores of Elk Lake (XEOLXELEK).

First the team had to find the potential for a fault, primarily using lidar data.

The region isnB次元官网网址檛 unexposed to the low-flying helicopters sending laser pulses to map the landscape. After digitally removing trees and buildings theyB次元官网网址檙e left with a detailed bare earth surface topographical map to scour for scarps B次元官网网址� ruptures on the surface of the earth that could indicate a fault.

Once found, to study the earthquake history of the fault, the team used electrical resistivity surveying B次元官网网址� using currents to map the distribution of sediment in the subsurface B次元官网网址� and excavated a trench across the scarp to examine the sediment.

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Like an archaeological dig but looking for ancient earthquakes, Theron explained.

The work revealed a single large earthquake, of magnitude 6.1 to 7.6, likely occurred there about 4,700 to 2,300 years ago.

B次元官网网址淲e obtain that by taking samples of organic material from sedimentary layers observed in the trench we dug and radiocarbon dating those,B次元官网网址� he explained.

They also use measurements of how it moved and compare those to a catalogue of modern earthquake events to determine a range of magnitude.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an imprecise science because nothing in nature is perfect, thatB次元官网网址檚 why we have a big range in estimate on what it potentially could have been,B次元官网网址� Finley said.

The trench excavation happened in 2021 and the paper published just recently after rigorous peer review, but theyB次元官网网址檙e far from finished.

B次元官网网址淲e do still have a lot of ongoing work on the Island looking for similar features elsewhere,B次元官网网址� Finley said. B次元官网网址淲e suspect we will continue to find more as more lidar data is available.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 an exciting new discovery that helps them better understand earthquake hazards in the region, said John Cassidy an earthquake seismologist with National Resources Canada. This work can only add to the understanding of earthquake potency and potential.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always trying to extend our earthquake history and thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly what this study does,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 tell us there will be another earthquake on this fault B次元官网网址� but it does help us understand the history and it will help guide future research.B次元官网网址�

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Large crustal earthquakes have occurred here and are included in the hazard model already, Cassidy said, citing two in the magnitude 7 range B次元官网网址� in December 1918 near the west coast of Vancouver Island and the June 1946 earthquake with a mid-Island epicentre.

B次元官网网址淭he trick is we donB次元官网网址檛 know exactly where they occur. When we find structures like this one it helps B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 really exciting,B次元官网网址� Cassidy said.

B次元官网网址淭his shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be frightening to people. ItB次元官网网址檚 always been there and now we know about it and that there was an earthquake B次元官网网址� it will help us to improve our hazard maps. It will help us to better understand and be better prepared.B次元官网网址�

Previous modelling shows a future earthquake similar to the one the team documented could cause major damage in Greater Victoria.

B次元官网网址淭here have been loss estimates done for similar sort of event striking Victoria on a similar shallow fault like this,B次元官网网址� Finley said.

A magnitude 7.3 on a fault like this in such close proximity to the city could cause about 1,000 deaths and 7,000 building collapses with more than $20 billion in economic hit.

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B次元官网网址淭he likelihood of this happening in the next, for example, 100 years, is probably lower than the Cascadia thrust B次元官网网址� but it does add one more fault that could cause damaging shaking to our portfolio of faults that could cause a problem,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think we want to take it as a reminder to both increase our own personal resilience.B次元官网网址�

In a place where we rarely feel any shaking, even with the myriad tiny earthquakes that constantly happen, it serves as another reminder to prepare or revisit things like earthquake plans and emergency preparedness kits.

B次元官网网址淧eople forget. We see rushes of people to the emergency preparedness stores when thereB次元官网网址檚 a small shake because people feel under-prepared. Hopefully even news of this discovery is motive for people to get out and prepared,B次元官网网址� Finley said. B次元官网网址淥n a more systemic level we need to really be taking seriously the work required to strengthen our buildings and protect human life.B次元官网网址�

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