Students and teachers at Sowchea Elementary took part in the Great British Columbia Shakeout earthquake drill on Wednesday, January 26 at 10 a.m. over 460,000 participants across the province participated in the practice to drop, take cover and hold on. In what was dubbed “the largest earthquake drill in Canadian history” participants then counted out one minute to simulate waiting for the ground to stop shaking.
The drill was meant to prepare British Columbians for an earthquake, which some experts say we are overdue for.
While risk varies depending on location in the province, according to the Great British Columbia Shakeout website, “everywhere in British Columbia is considered at high risk in relation to the rest of the country.”
The date of January 26 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the last magnitude 9 earthquake in the province, which took place back in 1700.
The last earthquake to effect the Prince George area took place in 1986.
Fort St. James is near the Pinchi Fault line, which is over 450 km long, running through B.C.