Ice Quake (film)

Ice Quake, also called Ice Quake: Nature Unleashed, is a 2010 television action film written by David Ray and directed by Paul Ziller and shown on the Syfy channel. It stars Brendan Fehr, Holly Dignard, Jodelle Ferland, Ryan Grantham and Rob LaBelle. Set primarily in Alaska, the film follows the members of a family caught amidst a natural disaster. As the permafrost thaws, subterranean rivers of liquid methane and disastrous earthquakes are unleashed, threatening to lead the Earth to a catastrophic end.

Plot
Under the Alaskan permafrost organic materials have been rotting for thousands of years. As the permafrost thaws, volatile liquid methane and gases are released causing a succession of destructive earthquakes.

A family is on the hunt for a Christmas tree when their dog inexplicably runs away. There is an explosion of gas from under the ice and a fissure opens up causing an avalanche. The family has to run for their lives. Another tremor causes the ground to split open, creating a deep ravine that splits the family apart - the parents on one side and two children on the other. The father tells the children to go to the summit and wait for rescue. The children head up then find out there is a storm on the way. The younger brother suggests they keep moving until they can stop at a safe place

The military based around the mountain investigate the tremors, at first believing them to be earthquakes until they find that there have been no tectonic movements and nothing shows on the Richter scale. They then think it could have been a volcanic eruption but this also proves false. It is a race against time to stop the liquids and gases before they lead to a catastrophic explosion that threatens the planet.

Production
Ice Quake is the Syfy Cable television company's own holiday TV movie production. The filming of the movie took place in three different locations. In the production and post-production other companies helped with Syfy's work. Movie Central was one of the main companies that helped with this production of this film. Northwest Digital worked with the production teamto create a quality visual experience, along with The Exile Visual Effects Studio who provided the visual effects to create the perfect atmosphere for a holiday disaster. Pinewood Sounds was in charge of the movie's sound effects and recording.
 * Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
 * Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada
 * Hemlock Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Cast

 * Brendan Fehr as Michael Webster, is a loving husband, father and a scientist studying the effects of the Alaska landscape. He is a geologist who works for the military and is a specialist in his field. He is also the husband of Emily and the father of two children, namely Tia and Shane.
 * Holly Dignard as Emily Webster, is the beautiful wife of Michael and the loving mother of Tia and Shane.
 * Jodelle Ferland as Tia Webster, is the teenage daughter of Michael and Emily and the sister of Shane.
 * Ryan Grantham as Shane Webster, is the young son of Michael and Emily, and the brother of Tia.
 * Rob LaBelle as Bruce Worthington
 * Nicholas Carrella as "Ram"
 * Victor Garber as Colonel Bill Hughes, is Michael's superior in the military, and works with Michael and his family to prevent a methane explosion from wiping out planet Earth.
 * Marsha Regis as Carolyn
 * Sharon Taylor as Jamie
 * Lane Edwards as Reed
 * Kurt Max Runte as Wallace
 * Aaron Pearl as Cochrane
 * Dean Redman as Sergeant Rowland
 * James Pizzinato as Boy
 * MacKenzie Porter as Girl

Music
The movie has two songs credited in the soundtrack. As a holiday TV movie both of the songs are traditional Christmas carols: "Joy to the World" and "Here We Come A-wassailing", as performed by the Occidental Glee Club.

Release
Ice Quake was first shown on the Syfy channel on December 11, 2010 in the U.S. and was released on DVD on July 2, 2012. Since then it has been shown on television and released on DVD in numerous countries including the UK, Germany and Italy. It has also been released on Blu-ray.