posted on Jun, 25 2011 @ 04:03 AM
Experts say an earthquake surely will devastate the Northwest, US
Experts armed with seabed core samples and findings from Japan are ready to place odds on the likelihood of a giant earthquake rocking the
Within the next 50 years, they say, Washington and northern Oregon face a 10 to 15 percent probability of an offshore quake powerful enough to kill
thousands and launch a tsunami that would level coastal cities. Off southern Oregon, the probability of an 8-or-higher magnitude earthquake is greater
-- 37 percent, according to Oregon State University's Chris Goldfinger, one of the world's top experts on subduction-zone quakes.
The concept is not a new one...older data:
All these methods give similar results: the Cascadia margin currently rises by one to four millimeters a year, and it also contracts horizontally
by several centimeters every year. This deformation--direct evidence that the crust is being squeezed between converging plates--registers the slow
but relentless accumulation of strain that is building toward the next catastrophic release.
Giant EQs of the Pac NW
*image above from site.
Another image of how the Juan De Fuca Plate is sliding beneath the North American Plate.
HOW BIG ARE CASCADIA SUBDUCTION ZONE QUAKES?
Great Subduction Zone earthquakes are the largest earthquakes in the world, and can exceed magnitude 9.0. Earthquake size is porportional to fault
area, and the Cascadia Subduction Zone is a very long sloping fault that stretches from mid-Vancouver Island to Northern California. It separates the
Juan de Fuca and North America plates. Because of the very large fault area, the Cascadia Subduction Zone could produce a very large earthquake,
magnitude 9.0 or greater, if rupture occurred over its whole area.
The last known Pac NW great earthquake: January, 1700...just over 300 years ago.
This quake, with magnitude estimated at 9.0, rocked the region with strong shaking for several long minutes minutes while coastal Washington
plummeted as much as 1.5 meters relative to coastal waters.
We're all aware of California earthquake potential as well as Alaska. The 'middle area' of the west coast is often not talked about unless mentioning
volcanic activity, in the media at least, or to people not from the area. Residents of Seattle/Tacoma, for example, grew up with EQ drills and are
aware of tsunami evacuation routes.
Also experienced, even this year, small quakes that were barely felt around the Puget Sound area. Seattle
has a faultline
. A while back I observed information on the PacNW EQ risk,
beyond what I've been told about. Just recent June 23rd, Aleutian Islands, Alaska had quakes of 7.+.
I am sharing this, as some may not have be aware of the potential activity. While I don't believe one should go into panic mode, also good to know
what you may be up against. In the mean time I am gathering more recent data...
Sure, the MSM will pick up more versions of the research, possibly sensationalizing as the title shows. (older MSM report
Is it possible? Is it due? Sure. Tomorrow, not likely.
Putting It All Together: www.abovetopsecret.com...
Presenting great info!
edit on 25-6-2011 by dreamingawake because: more.
edit on 25-6-2011 by dreamingawake because: fixed