Terms of Reference

Modelling Tsunamis associated with recently identified slope failures in Douglas Channel

Regional Science Special Response Process - Pacific Region

October 29, 2012
Nanaimo, BC

Chairperson: Marilyn Joyce

Context

Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines Ltd. has proposed to construct and operate the infrastructure for the conveyance and export of oil from Alberta to overseas markets and import of petroleum condensates for use in oil sands production.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is participating in an environmental assessment by a Joint Review Panel environmental assessment. A Joint Review Panel is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the National Energy Board. The Panel will assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the application under both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the National Energy Board Act.

On August 17, 2012, a Notice of Motion of the Attorney General of Canada Seeking to Tender Supplementary Written Evidence was filed with the Joint Review Panel “Respecting Two Previously Unrecognized Submarine Slope Failures in the Douglas Channel and A Future Additional Assessment of the Tsunami Potential Associate with these Two Slope Failures”. DFO Science, Pacific Region was requested to provide an additional assessment consisting of modeling of the wave heights and speeds that may have resulted from two previously unrecognized submarine slope failures in the Douglas Channel. This analysis will be provided to the Panel and parties before the Panel to ensure they have the most up to date information of geo-hazards in Douglas Chanel. A Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) Science Special Response Process (SSRP) will be utilized to provide this information due to the urgency of the request.

Objective

The objective of this CSAS Science Response is to provide an analysis of numerically simulated tsunami wave heights, current speeds, wave periods, and wave propagation times that would have been generated from a slide of material from the recently identified submarine slope failures in Douglas Channel and Kitimat Arm, in the Enbridge project area.

Expected publications

• Science Response
• Research Document

Participation

• DFO Science Branch
• DFO Ecosystem Management Branch
• Natural Resources Canada