- Virginia Tech geoscientists estimate a 15% probability of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone within the next 50 years.
- Such a quake could generate a 1,000-foot mega-tsunami, posing severe risks to coastal cities like Seattle and Portland.
- The earthquake could cause up to 6.5 feet of land subsidence, expanding coastal flood zones and complicating recovery efforts.
- The most severe impacts are expected in southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California, with Alaska and Hawaii also vulnerable.
- The last major quake in the Cascadia subduction zone occurred in 1700, highlighting the urgency for updated hazard models and preparedness plans.
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