New Thermal Activity on Hotspring Island?

Parks Canada staff has detected signs that thermal activity may be resuming on Hotspring Island in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. Hot pools and springs on the island – a popular destination for Haida Gwaii residents and visitors – dried up suddenly following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake last October.

Seismologists believe the quake may have closed fissures that allowed heated water up to the surface – and that thermal activity may eventually return to the island and restore the springs.

In January, Parks Canada scientists noticed hot water seeps above the surface near two of the hot pools but below the high tide line. Thermal activity has been detected in all the areas of the island where it had previously occurred but water flow has not fully returned.

“This is a promising development but the mystery of what will happen to the hot pools continues,” said Ernie Gladstone, Gwaii Haanas Field Unit Superintendent. “We will continue to observe the situation throughout the coming months, and we are hopeful that this is just the beginning.”

To learn more visit:  www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas/index.aspx