Westcoaster.ca - News - Columnists - Earthquake, Tsunami Advice Not Appropriate: Local Scientist

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Westcoaster.ca - News - Columnists - Earthquake, Tsunami Advice Not Appropriate: Local Scientist: "By Jacqueline Windh, PhD
Opinion/Column

(Writer’s comment: This article is Part 1 of a two-part series commenting upon our West Coast emergency preparedness programs. I am writing this critique both as a concerned local citizen, and as a PhD scientist in the field of structural geology – the study of folding and faulting in the Earth’s crust.
I appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of all of the volunteers who have put together our local emergency preparedness programs and information brochures. However, I do not believe that all of the information and advice that they have put together is appropriate for our region or for the magnitude of the expected events.
These two articles provide background information as well as my own recommendations. My criticisms are intended in the most positive sense – to help individuals to prepare for these events, and to work for the continuing improvement of our local emergency plans.
This week’s article focuses upon the nature of the events: the scale and magnitude of the expected earthquake and tsunami, and what this means for evacuation routes. Next week I will focus more on personal preparedness and emergency kits.)"