New studies conducted by USGS geophysicist Danny Brothers reveal that the Cascadia subduction zone, stretching along the US west coast from northern California to northern Vancouver Island, may have seen around 30 large earthquakes over the past 14,200 years. On average, a large earthquake could occur in that area approximately every 450 to 500 years.
Despite this history, the Cascadia Volcano has remained dormant for years, as many scientists believe the volcano is mainly “frozen” and under immense pressure. Should the volcano erupt, it could cause a significant shift in the ocean floor, leading to potential tsunamis heading towards the shore.
Washington State Emergency Management Director Robert Ezell has warned that this event could be the most catastrophic natural disaster in the country’s history.
Seismologists are now focused on predicting these potential cataclysms, with research suggesting that faults like Cascadia and Nankai may give off warning signs, such as minor foreshocks or subtle tremors only detectable by specialized sensors (known as slow-slip events).
In a worst-case scenario proposed by Tobin, if the Cascadia Fault were to release such vibrations suddenly, the consequences could be devastating.
A major earthquake in the Cascade Range could leave over 100,000 people injured, lasting for five minutes and generating tsunamis along the coast for up to 10 hours. Liquefaction could occur in inland hills, destroying roads and bridges, with around 620,000 buildings, including hospitals and schools, facing severe damage or destruction.
Ezell emphasized that the state is not adequately prepared for such an event, warning residents to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks following a disaster.
The maps of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates converge to create subduction zones and volcanoes, particularly concern Ezell.
“Over the past few decades, we’ve witnessed major ruptures in all subduction zones’ faults except for Cascadia,” Ezell noted.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
