Experts Caution About Mega Earthquake and Tsunami Endangering the U.S. West Coast
Researchers have issued a warning that an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 could occur in parts of the U.S. within the next 50 years, potentially triggering a catastrophic tsunami with waves reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet. The last significant earthquake in this area took place over 300 years ago.
The primary concern lies within the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600-mile fault line that extends from northern California to southern British Columbia. This study, conducted by Virginia Tech and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, underscores the risk of extensive coastal destruction.
Areas that are at risk include Alaska, Hawaii, and the entire U.S. West Coast, owing to their closeness to active volcanoes, landslides, and seismic events.
Tina Dura, the lead researcher, indicated that such an earthquake could result in coastal land subsiding by as much as 6.5 feet, significantly enlarging the floodplain and hindering recovery efforts.
In 1700, a comparable incident led to the subsidence of coastal land, resulting in the formation of “ghost forests” — dead trees that remain standing in the Pacific Northwest.
The U.S. Geological Survey states that the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake is still the largest recorded earthquake in the U.S., with a magnitude of 9.2.
Should a similar earthquake occur today, it could affect over 14,000 residents, obliterate 22,500 buildings, and damage nearly 800 miles of roadways.
The study cautions that rising sea levels, which are expected to rise by three feet by 2100, could exacerbate the damage caused by tsunamis.
Experts emphasize the importance of preparedness to safeguard communities and ecosystems from enduring devastation.
