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Cascadia: The Earthquake that will Destroy Westcoast America

Geographics・20 minutes read

The Cascadia Megathrust Fault on America's west coast could trigger one of the most massive earthquakes in history, leading to widespread devastation, building collapses, fires, landslides, dam failures, and chemical spills, followed by a tsunami inundating coastal communities and covering hundreds of thousands of square miles. The potential for a magnitude 9.2 earthquake along the Cascadia fault would have catastrophic consequences, with experts warning of significant destruction, including impacts on buildings, schools, hospitals, bridges, fires, gas leaks, landslides, dam failures, and chemical spills, as well as a tsunami reaching heights of 20-100ft and affecting millions of people, with estimates of 13,000 deaths, 27,000 injuries, and up to a million people losing homes.

Insights

  • The Cascadia Megathrust Fault poses a severe threat to America's west coast, with the potential for a catastrophic earthquake resulting in building collapses, fires, landslides, and chemical spills, followed by a devastating tsunami inundating coastal areas.
  • The historical evidence and scientific research surrounding the Cascadia fault highlight the looming danger of a magnitude 9.2 earthquake, necessitating urgent preparedness measures to mitigate the expected widespread destruction, including impacts on infrastructure, public safety, and human lives.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Cascadia Megathrust Fault?

    A subduction fault on America's west coast.

  • What are the potential impacts of a Cascadia earthquake?

    Building collapses, fires, landslides, and tsunamis.

  • How does the Cascadia fault compare to historical events?

    Similar to major earthquakes in Alaska, Chile, and Japan.

  • What led to the delayed understanding of the Cascadia fault's potential?

    Lack of minor quakes until the 1980s.

  • What are the estimated casualties from a Cascadia earthquake?

    13,000 deaths, 27,000 injuries, and a million displaced.

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Summary

00:00

Impending Cascadia Fault Earthquake Threatens West Coast

  • The Cascadia Megathrust Fault is predicted to cause one of the most significant earthquakes in history on America's west coast.
  • The earthquake will result in widespread devastation, including building collapses, fires, landslides, dam failures, and chemical spills.
  • A tsunami following the earthquake will inundate coastal communities and cover hundreds of thousands of square miles.
  • The 1700 AD tsunami in Japan, caused by the Cascadia Fault, reached 16.5 feet in height and caused significant destruction.
  • Indigenous tribes in North America also experienced the effects of the 1700 earthquake and tsunami, with various mythological explanations.
  • The Cascadia subduction zone involves the Juan de Fuca plate getting stuck under the North American plate, leading to potential earthquakes.
  • The fault's potential for a major earthquake is compared to historical events in Alaska, Chile, and Japan.
  • The Cascadia fault spans 600-700 miles from California to Vancouver Island, with the central zone being less active than the northern and southern sections.
  • The possibility of a full margin rupture along the Cascadia fault could result in a magnitude 9.2 earthquake, one of the largest in US history.
  • The lack of minor quakes along the Cascadia fault until the 1980s led to a delayed understanding of its potential for massive earthquakes.

14:26

Cascadia Fault: Inactive to Catastrophic in Oregon

  • Cascadia fault in Oregon was considered inactive, leading to plans for nuclear power plants in the region.
  • U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission consulted the U.S. Geological Survey, discovering two possibilities for the fault's activity.
  • Evidence of previous megaquakes in the Pacific Northwest was found by scientists, with Native oral histories indicating a massive quake around 1700.
  • In 1996, scientists confirmed that a 9.0 magnitude quake hit Cascadia on January 26, 1700, with 41 megaquakes occurring over 10,000 years.
  • A potential 9.2 magnitude Cascadia quake scenario was described, detailing the impact on buildings, schools, hospitals, and bridges.
  • After the quake, fires, gas leaks, landslides, dam failures, and chemical spills are expected, causing widespread destruction.
  • The Cascadia tsunami could reach heights of 20-100ft, moving at 12 miles per hour, potentially affecting millions of people.
  • Fema estimates a winter quake could result in 13,000 deaths and 27,000 injuries, with up to a million people losing homes and needing urgent aid.
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