The Brief
- A new study suggests a major earthquake in the Pacific Northwest could trigger another along the San Andreas Fault.
- Cities like Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco are at risk, with infrastructure unprepared for such events.
- Experts advise securing homes and participating in earthquake drills to mitigate potential damage.
SEATTLE – Most of us have probably heard that when it comes to earthquakes, “The Big One” could happen at any time, but a new study has now found that if the “big one” happens in the Pacific Northwest, it could trigger an even bigger one and affect cities up and down the West Coast.
The backstory:
In 2001, the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually earthquake toppled parts of buildings, left 400 people hurt and caused billions of dollars in widespread damage. That earthquake serves as a stark reminder that another earthquake like this, perhaps bigger, is still looming.
“This is essentially a certainty, and how we respond to it is the only part that’s uncertain,” said Dr. Chris Goldfinger, geologist and the lead author and principal investigator of a 2025 study.…