PNW -The Really Big One

[Andie]

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one

 

http://www.mesah.co/Cascadia-Fault-Earthquake-Update/

 

Scientists are warning of a 9.2 that will strike the PNW which will wipe out everything west of Interstate 5.

Seattle, Portland, Tacoma, and Eugene are in that belt. The Juan de Fuca Plate is expected to slip and send a massive wall of water toward the coast. Virtually every reliable scientist is getting on board this warning. Some have even said if they lived in that zone, they'd seriously consider moving.

 

I've not run across this level of concern in all the years I've read this subject. Stories all over the place. At the very least I would say if you live in that zone you need to know your escape route and have a bug out bag for every member of the family. FEMA has gotten onboard and expressed concern as emergency services would be wiped out in that area as well. Millions are in the path of this tsunami though death estimate is 15,000. It's not unlike the recent quake and tsunami in Japan. The last great earthquake in that area was in the 18th century and the tsunami struck both the American coast and Japan. It is quite likely you will see this in your lifetime.

 

Interesting article. I was surprised that they were as adamant as they were. It leaves the PNW with some very serious questions to consider.

[Dan the Weatherman]

That sounds like the PNW's version of the "Big One". I have been hearing about the forecasted 8+ "Big One" here in CA all my life that is expected to occur on the San Andreas at some point in the future and that could be at any time.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

There is a little bit of fear mongering in that article, but sometimes people need a wake up call to be prepared. 

[Andie]

I think all one has to do is go back and look at the recent tsunami in Japan.

Chris is right about the bridges and overpasses. And any building not seismically fitted will collapse or be seriously compromised. There is a good deal of liquefaction expected as many coastal towns have reclaimed land. No matter what it won't be pretty and getting out of affected areas will be dificult if not impossible. Fires often break out with ruptured gas lines. If this happens and it does appear it will, I wouldn't want to be west of I 5.