On Friday, July 17, 2009 NEPTUNE Canada, with support from Ocean Networks Canada, contributed to a permanent Tsunami Centre in the Hutcheson Gallery at 2750 Harbour Road, Port Alberni, BC.

In 2008 Ken Hutcheson, Port Alberni Maritime Heritage Society President, approached NEPTUNE Canada to ask if it would contribute information on the science of tsunamis to complement a historical display, mounted by the Alberni Valley Museum, on the 1964 tsunami.

Leslie Elliott, project coordinator for NEPTUNE Canada worked with project scientist, Brian Bornhold and scientists from DFO, NRCan and Simon Fraser University to produce a comprehensive overview showing British Columbia’s west coast and the locations of earthquake and tsunami instrumentation on land and in the ocean, types of instrument used, and examples of scientists involved. Leslie spoke about the display and the NEPTUNE Canada project to an engaged group of community members, including former mayor, Gillian Trumper and town manager, Ken Watson.

The NEPTUNE Canada shore station is located in Port Alberni; NEPTUNE Canada has been working with the Port Alberni Maritime Heritage Society since 2006 in providing displays about the project for both the community and visitors.