"We know that earthquakes of this type occur right off of our coast", research scientist John Cassidy of the Geological Survey of Canada told Canadian Television Wednesday.

"What we are trying to understand is how the ground will shake in Vancouver and Victoria during our future earthquake," he said.

Under the water off the west coast of North America, massive pressure is building up in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The release causes earthquakes. Eventually, British Columbia will be hit by the big one.

Bob Bugslag, director of British Columnbia's Provincial Emergency Program, told the Canadian Press that communities in thecoastal areas in the province are at risk from tsunamis. If a major earthquake happened off the coast, coastal communities wouldhave about 3 hours warning.

"We are on the Pacific Rim and the entire area is very vulnerable to tsunamis," said Bugslag. The earthquake in Alaska had a devastating impact on B.C. The Vancouver Island community ofPort Alberni was swamped by a tsunami triggered by the powerful quake. The tidal wave destroyed everything in its path. Amazingly,no one was killed or even seriously injured. That quake and the one is south Asia this week were remarkably similar and provide scientists with a rare opportunity to understand their power, Canadian scientists say.