Haida Gwaii hot springs show more signs of returning

There's some encouraging news for a cultural site and tourist attraction on Haida Gwaii – the thermal activity at Hotsprings Island is showing more signs of recovery.

Hot water stopped flowing into the pools after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook the island in October 2012, leaving them empty.

Then last year, heat-detecting devices installed by Parks Canada found some hot water flowing again below the high-tide line.        

Ernie Gladstone, the superintendent at Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, says in May scientists determined water flow and temperatures have increased since last year.

"There is water flowing at the high tide level and five or six feet higher than high tide level now, which is quite warm, probably around 60 degrees. It's cool enough to touch, but too hot to hold your hand in," he says.    

"Even in some of the locations where water hasn't yet returned, the ground temperature below the surface is warmer than it is on the surface. So that's encouraging as well."

Despite the encouraging sign Gladstone says there's still not enough water to fill the pools.

Google Maps: Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii