The Pacific Northwest is found to be long overdue for an earthquake. Those in the region might not be expecting it, but we could be hit with a gigantic 8 or 9 magnitude earthquake in the near future. The earthquake would mainly impact the west of Washington but would be felt throughout all of the PNW. According to the Geological Society of America, in the United States, the Northwest region has the second highest risk of earthquakes. This is because of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Scientists have warned us to prepare to protect ourselves if tragedy were to occur.
What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone?
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a fault line that is about 600 miles from Northern California to Southern British Columbia. So, if this earthquake were to occur, it wouldn’t just affect Washington, but also Oregon and parts of California and British Columbia. A subduction zone is an area where tectonic plates can move and slide on top of each other, which is what causes earthquakes. However, in this area there are horizontal fault cuts in the lower and upper plates, making segments in the subduction zone. During an earthquake, these segments could be involved, and the flat and smooth plates could slide on top of each other and cause the earthquake to be even bigger and stronger.
Seismologists, scientists who study the Earth’s core and earthquakes, have studied that the last “Big One” that happened in the region occurred more than 324 years ago and that a magnitude 9 or more earthquake occurs almost every 500 years, and a magnitude 8 or more earthquake happens about every 230 years. The upcoming earthquakes predicted could be just as large as ones seen in Japan in 2011, or Indonesia in 2004. It is expected that the “Big One” should be occurring every couple hundred years.
How can locals prepare for an earthquake?
An earthquake could largely affect families and businesses. These big earthquakes could also create large tsunamis and could destroy homes. So, it is important to take steps to protect you and your family. On October 17, the NW Insurance Council, a Seattle insurance company, told Washingtonians in their homes, businesses, and schools to practice the “drop, cover, and hold” for the international earthquake drill. Knowing how to protect yourself in the moment is important, but it is also important to know how to protect your future in the case of an earthquake. So, it is a good idea to get earthquake and flood insurance. Being prepared with insurance can help you recover easier and quicker in the case of disaster. To do this, you could talk to your insurance company and talk about your emergency preparedness plan.
Although the “Big One” would be quite big and massive, there isn’t a reason to panic just yet. It could occur at any moment or day; it could occur tomorrow, or 20 years, or 50 years, or even centuries from now. Seismologists are hard at work tracking the seismic activity of the Cascadia Subduction Zone with sensors. When there is activity, earthquake warnings will be sent to cell phones. No matter when the “Big One” comes, it is important to be prepared and know what to expect.
Sources:
https://theweek.com/environment/earthquake-big-one-new-data
https://www.popsci.com/science/the-big-one/
https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/tsunami-locations/jetstream-max-cascadia subduction-zone
Photo sources/credits:
https://www.pnsn.org/outreach/earthquakesources/csz
https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/tsunami-locations/jetstream-max-cascadia subduction-zone
