SALEM, Ore. – In a sweeping new measure to prepare for the inevitable Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, Governor Tina Kotek signed an executive order Monday requiring that most new state-owned buildings be earthquake-proof, with all executive branch properties upgraded or replaced by 2060.
Preparing for “The Big One”
Kotek framed the order as essential to ensuring that state buildings remain safe and functional during a catastrophic earthquake, often referred to as “The Big One.”
“When a devastating earthquake hits Oregon, we need to be able to show up for Oregonians,” Kotek said in a statement. “State employees are the backbone of emergency response, and they need safe places as they help families and communities recover. We cannot waver from this responsibility.”
The Cascadia fault last ruptured in 1700, generating a massive quake and tsunami that struck the coasts of Oregon, Washington, and California. Scientists estimate such quakes occur every 300 to 500 years.
The Seismic Threat
Seismologists forecast a 16% to 22% chance that a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake of magnitude 8.7 or greater will strike Oregon within the next 50 years. They also estimate a 42% chance of a partial rupture producing a quake of at least 7.4 magnitude…