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What does an 8-magnitude earthquake feel like?

Residents can try a free earthquake simulator in Colwood this week
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Participants try out the Shake Zone mobile earthquake simulator. The simulator will be making its only stop on the West Shore on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre. (Photo courtesy of Motion Safe)

You’re sitting in the comfort of your own home, when suddenly things being to shake.

It’s slow at first and quickly turns to a violent rumble. Items fall off shelves, windows shatter and furniture shifts. Then after roughly five minutes, the shaking stops.

That’s what people can expect when they step into the Shake Zone earthquake simulator in Colwood this week. The machine simulates what would happen during an 8-magnitude quake to promote emergency preparedness in the region.

“It’s not intended to scare people, it’s intended to promote the need to be prepared,” said Geoff Amy, emergency co-ordinator for the City of Colwood, who, along with the Town of View Royal, and West Shore Parks and Recreation are hosting the event.

“Most of us have never been through an earthquake, we don’t know what to expect … This could happen here and it could be quite severe.”

In addition to the simulator, there will also be an information booth, detailing how Island residents can prepare themselves for the big one or any other natural disasters.

Amy said residents in Greater Victoria should have enough food, water, medications and supplies to be self-sufficient for seven days instead of other materials that say to have enough resources for three days.

“We’re on the end of the Island. If we lose the ferries and if the Malahat is closed, we could be isolated for some time so people need to be prepared to look after themselves,” Amy said.

The simulator tour started last week in Saanich and travelled to Esquimalt, Camosun College, the University of Victoria, and Centennial Square earlier this week.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, the free simulator will be making its only stop on the West Shore at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre (1767 Island Hwy. by the bus loop) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit colwood.ca.

kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com