Metro Vancouver Network-based Earthquake Early Warning System

Metro Vancouver is tasked with providing safe, clean drinking water to over 2.8 million residents, managing a vast water supply system that includes critical infrastructure such as dams, treatment plants, and transmission mains. Given its extensive responsibilities and the seismic risks inherent in British Columbia, the organization recognized the urgent need for advanced earthquake early warning (EEW) capabilities. This necessity was driven by the dual goals of enhancing the safety of its facilities and ensuring uninterrupted water supply during and after seismic events.

In 2021/2022, Metro Vancouver implemented a pilot project titled "EEW and Strategic Response System," which introduced a sophisticated network-based EEW system alongside a Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) service for its critical infrastructure. This project utilized a distributed computing architecture with a client-server model, where detection nodes distributed throughout the infrastructure communicated via the Internet. Each node was equipped with an algorithm for accurate detection and characterization of seismic P-waves, minimizing false positives and avoiding costly downtime. Data packets containing primary seismic event parameters were pre-computed at the client level, sent to a central server, and further processed to compute secondary seismic parameters based on a point source model. This robust system architecture ensures fast, secure, and reliable message passing and seismic event analysis.

The implementation of the network-based EEW system has significantly bolstered Metro Vancouver's emergency response capabilities. By integrating advanced seismic detection technologies and structural health monitoring, the organization can now respond more effectively to earthquakes, ensuring the structural integrity of its water supply infrastructure and maintaining service continuity. This proactive approach not only enhances the safety of the infrastructure but also protects the region's water supply, which is critical for the well-being of its residents.