The Brief
- Scientists warn that a major earthquake on the Seattle Fault—running directly beneath the region—could immediately trigger a tsunami up to 33 feet high in Elliott Bay, giving waterfront residents little to no warning to reach higher ground.
- Historical precedent shows Washington’s seismic activity can cluster, such as four notable earthquakes between 1939 and 1949, though experts emphasize that major earthquakes do not occur on a predictable timetable.
- While the region has experienced a relatively quiet period over the last 15 years, experts stress that past survival without building retrofits does not guarantee structures will withstand future major shaking.
SEATTLE – A major earthquake on the Seattle Fault could send a tsunami as high as 33 feet into Elliott Bay, a potentially devastating scenario that has renewed interest online in Washington’s earthquake risk.
While such an earthquake is considered rare, scientists say Washington’s history shows seismic activity does not always arrive at regular intervals.
Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, said the Seattle Fault represents a particularly dangerous scenario because it runs directly beneath the region.…