IBM will provide its cloud computing and data analytics technology to help researchers in Canada build decision-support tools for managing coastlines in British Columbia.

The Smart Oceans BC project seeks to develop a system for public safety agencies to predict and monitor offshore pollution, oil spills and natural disasters, IBM said Monday.

IBM will work with Ocean Networks Canada and plans to invest $12 million in cloud, analytics and skills training to support the ocean technology development program.

The project is meant to leverage IBMâ€™s portfolio of visual analytics, machine learning, data streams processing and data exploration software products, IBM says.

ONC researchers will use an on-premise IBM cloud platform to simulate tsunamis and earthquakes with the goal of forescasting the impact of coastal hazards.

The companies also intend to establish a Virtual Compute Lab for aboriginal people to access ONC and university courses by using a connected device.