There is no way of predicting the exact date of when the topical Cascadia Megathrust Earthquake will strike British Columbia.
But researchers warned it could be catastrophic, with a magnitude of 9.0.
This all time high was last witnessed in the 1700, generating far reaching tsunami waves that went as far as Japan.
There is a ~2% to <10% probability, that such a quake could happen in the next 30 years, according to findings of the latest ClimateReadyBC Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment (October 2025).
The report was compiled by provincial ministers and over 200 organisations.
There is an even greater probability (10% to 20%), the quake could strike in the next 50 years.
Researchers said some ~18,000 buildings across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, could be completely destroyed; while another ~10,000 severely damaged.
The worst impacts would occur in structures built before modern seismic codes.
In addition 3,400 people could die as a result.
There would be an estimated $128 billion in total economic damage, with long-term disruption to housing, transportation, and essential services.
The Tsunami could cause irreparable damage to freshwater, forest, and mountain ecosystems.