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Pacific Northwest At Risk For Mega-Earthquake
Hugh Pickens writes "Science Daily Headlines reports on research by Oregon State University marine geologist Chris Goldfinger showing that earthquakes of magnitude 8.2 (or higher) have occurred 41 times during the past 10,000 years in the Pacific Northwest. By extrapolation, there is a 37% chance of another major earthquake in the area in the next 50 years that could exceed the power of recent seismic events in Chile and Haiti. If a magnitude-9 quake does strike the Cascadia Subduction Zone, extending from northern Vancouver Island to northern California, the ground could shake for several minutes, highways could be torn to pieces, bridges might collapse, and buildings would be damaged or even crumble. If the epicenter is just offshore, coastal residents could have as little as 15 minutes of warning before a tsunami could strike. 'It is not a question of if a major earthquake will strike,' says Goldfinger, 'it is a matter of when. And the "when" is looking like it may not be that far in the future.'" Read below for more.
The last major earthquake to hit the Cascadia Subduction Zone was in January 1700. Scientists are aware of the impact because of written records from Japan documenting the damage caused by the ensuing tsunami, which crested across the Pacific at about 5 meters (15 feet). Knowledge about what happened in Oregon and Washington is more speculative, but the consensus — gleaned from studies of coastal estuaries, land formations, and river channels — is that the physical alteration to the coast was stunning. The outer coastal regions subsided and drowned coastal marshlands and forests, which were subsequently covered with younger sediments. "Perhaps more striking than the probability numbers is that we ... have already gone longer without an earthquake than 75% of the known times between earthquakes in the last 10,000 years," says Goldfinger. "And 50 years from now, that number will rise to 85 percent."
The last major earthquake to hit the Cascadia Subduction Zone was in January 1700. Scientists are aware of the impact because of written records from Japan documenting the damage caused by the ensuing tsunami, which crested across the Pacific at about 5 meters (15 feet). Knowledge about what happened in Oregon and Washington is more speculative, but the consensus — gleaned from studies of coastal estuaries, land formations, and river channels — is that the physical alteration to the coast was stunning. The outer coastal regions subsided and drowned coastal marshlands and forests, which were subsequently covered with younger sediments. "Perhaps more striking than the probability numbers is that we ... have already gone longer without an earthquake than 75% of the known times between earthquakes in the last 10,000 years," says Goldfinger. "And 50 years from now, that number will rise to 85 percent."
Seriously? A man named Goldfinger is threatening the Pacific Northwest with tidal waves and earthquakes?
Well, at least MI5 will save us...
Hey, Microsoft, arrrreee youuuuu ready to ruuuuuuuummmmbllle!!!!!!!
My blog
By extrapolation
http://xkcd.com/605/
Cheking out Chris Goldfinger's credentials this will be big, they will be rocking as far away as the Caribbean.
Wha? There are blizzards, snow storms, ice storms, hail and excessive temperature and pressure changes in the midwest (which lead to tornadoes).
no need to make it sound like all they have is tornadoes. Tornadoes just hit the trailer parks.
Clearly it's BP's fault. Those evil Belgians!
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Yet another reason ... why I'm glad I don't live in the USA.
Fixed that for the GP. I mean, seriously. Is there a form of natural disaster you guys aren't under constant threat of?
The subduction zone is off the coast. How would an earthquake there affect Portland, Oregon, which is 80 miles inland?
Create a lot of new beachfront property?
John
Yes! The DC/Metro area is great! All the seasons! Free museums! Lots of jobs (in administrative overhead)! You really want to move here! You could live in my condo by a Metro station!
I for one, am in favor of Pacific-Northwest fearmongering, no one really wants to live there!
/ Been trying to relocate to the Pacific Northwest for quite a few years now
// Have a feeling a lot of this fearmongering is encouraged by residents who don't want others to move in and bespoil it :-P
/// Says something about the praise we have for the DC/Metro area... hmmm....
Ducks and Beavers living together, UTTER CONFUSION!!!!
Arizona! Arizona doesn't have any overbearing laws.
Beware of the Leopard.
37%? 37% even? Are you sure it's not 37.367%?
Honestly, guys.
I do not believe in karma. "Funny"=-6. Do good and forbid evil. Yours, Oft-Offtopic Flamebaiting Troll.
Really? There could be a huge earthquake capable of swallowing up the Microsoft headquarters into the ground?
Oh please please please please please let there be an earthquake!
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Hawaii has Vulcans?