Gwaii Haanas Superintendant Ernie Gladstone stands in an empty cliff pool after last weekend's earthquake off the coast of British Columbia. The hot water tap has been turned off at some idyllic springs on remote island off the Haida Gwaii coast following the weekend's powerful earthquake. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Parks Canada
November 01, 2012 - 5:00 PM
QUEEN CHARLOTTE, B.C. - Mother Nature apparently turned off the taps for a series of idyllic hot springs on a remote west coast B.C. island following Saturday's 7.7 magnitude earthquake.
Four naturally-sourced pools on Hot Springs Island in Gwaii Haanas National Park that have provided spiritual and medicinal comforts to locals and tourists for generations. have completely run dry.
A superintendent with the park and Haida Heritage Site, part of the Haida Gwaii islands, says he was disturbed by the lack of steam rising from the tiny island and barren pools when he journeyed to the site to confirm the rumours.
Ernie Gladstone says Haida people consider the waters to have healing properties, but everyone from kayakers to commercial fishermen would stop to soak away their aches and pains.
Members from the Canadian Geological Survey will try to determine why the 26 springs have stopped flowing, how the earthquake may have been involved, and whether the plug is permanent.
Tour guide Barb Rowsell, with Anvil Cove Charters, says her clients considered the naturally beautiful springs to be among the best in the world and it's a great loss to the region.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012