S003-0012
Some impacts resulting from seismic noise reduction in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
Monday, 7 December 2020
Poster
Stephen Crane1, Andrew J Schaeffer2, Ayodeji Kuponiyi3, Claire Perry4, John F Cassidy5, Allison L. Bent1, Honn Kao6 and Ziad Gias7, (1)Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, (2)Geological Survey of Canada, Sidney, Canada, (3)University of Victoria, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Victoria, BC, Canada, (4)Canadian Hazards Information Service, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada, (5)Geological Survey of Canada Sidney, Pacific Geoscience Centre, Sidney, BC, Canada, (6)Geological Survey Canada, Sidney, BC, Canada, (7)Natural Resources Canada, Yellowknife, NT, Canada
Abstract:
COVID-19 caused the world to become a “quieter” place. A reduction in population mobility caused a significant drop in the high frequency seismic noise globally. Canada was no exception, with restrictive measures put into place across the country by provincial/territorial officials over the course of a week in mid-March 2020. These measures included closures of public facilities and spaces, restricted inter-provincial travel, “stay-at-home” orders, banning gatherings of people, forced closures of the service industry, among many others. These measures forced people to work from home, reduced available social activities, and prevented travel outside of their province.
Seismic stations in Canada are intentionally positioned across the country to reduce these sources of noise to begin with. Still, this reduction of anthropogenic activities has caused a reduction in seismic noise levels at some seismic stations in Canada, especially those located in urban centers. Early results have shown a decrease in noise levels by 60%, 40%, 33% and 19% in Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa, and Victoria, respectively. Some stations, primarily Raspberry Shakes installed at homes, saw an increase in noise levels. We use a systematic approach to determine the change in noise levels at the seismic stations across Canada and compare it to the different lockdown measures taken place. During the reduction of seismic noise, we compare the resolvable seismic signals to those occurring beforehand.
