Latest news with #CascadiaSubductionZone
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The Surprising U.S. Regions Facing Deadly Tsunami Risk
A new study from Virginia Tech warns that large swaths of the Pacific Northwest, including Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, could face devastating flooding, landslides, and tsunamis in the coming years. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the research highlights a double threat: a major earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) combined with rising sea levels due to climate change. According to the study, this seismic combo could cause coastal land to sink by up to 6.5 feet, dramatically increasing the risk of flooding. In real terms, that means the area of land at risk of flooding would jump from 35 square miles to 116 square miles. That's an increase that could put more than 14,000 additional residents, 22,500 structures, and 777 miles of roads underwater if an earthquake were to strike today. The Cascadia subduction zone, stretching from Northern California to Vancouver Island, is already known as one of the most volatile seismic regions in North America. Researchers warn there's a 15% chance of a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake occurring there within the next 50 years. When paired with climate-driven sea level rise, the results could be study's authors also pointed out a critical flaw in current tsunami preparedness plans. Existing tsunami inundation maps don't account for the amplification effect of rising sea levels, meaning future tsunamis could penetrate further inland than anticipated. 'These hazards are not just theoretical—they're a wake-up call,' said the researchers. 'Communities in these regions must prepare now to minimize damage and protect vital infrastructure and ecosystems.' While the timing of the next big quake is uncertain, the researchers modeled scenarios for both a present-day event and one occurring in 2100. In either case, the stakes are high for the Pacific Surprising U.S. Regions Facing Deadly Tsunami Risk first appeared on Men's Journal on May 25, 2025
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Warning America could face 1000ft ‘mega-tsunami'
A study warns of a potential 1,000-foot-tall "mega tsunami" that could devastate parts of America if a major earthquake hits the Cascadia subduction zone within the next 50 years. Alaska, Hawaii, and the West Coast are most at risk due to the Cascadia subduction zone, a fault line stretching from Northern Vancouver Island to Cape Mendocino, California. The Virginia Tech geoscientists' study estimates a 15 per cent chance of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hitting the region in the next 50 years, potentially sinking coastal land by up to 6.5 feet and impacting cities like Seattle and Portland. Mega-tsunamis, characterized by extreme wave heights, differ from ordinary tsunamis and climate-driven events because they would occur rapidly, "within minutes," leaving no time for adaptation. The most severe effects are expected in southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California, with Alaska and Hawaii also vulnerable due to their seismic and volcanic profiles; the last major quake in the Cascadia subduction zone was in 1700.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A tsunami that never ends? Study highlights a looming West Coast risk.
The pressure keeps building below the Earth's surface off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, and a multi-layered disaster could strike at any time. A huge earthquake is brewing along the Cascadia Subduction Zone that could destroy bridges, reshape the landscape and trigger a massive tsunami. Scientists have known about the looming danger for years, but ongoing research keeps painting a clearer picture of what could happen. Among the dangers: A huge tsunami that will wash over costal areas and permanently flood them. The quake is a matter of if, not when, said Tina Dura, a geologist and professor of natural hazards at Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia. Recent research has focused on how climate change is increasing the impact of the earthquake on coastal areas that will suddenly sink. Researchers expect the quake will trigger an as much a 6-foot drop in some inland areas — then a massive tsunami will flood those regions, some permanently. "Imagine if, after Hurricane Katrina, after all the horrible things that happened, if we'd also lost big chunks of New Orleans and it never came back," said Diego Melgar, a professor at the University of Oregon and director of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center. The loss of swaths of land is just one of the surreal series of events that will occur when the earthquake eventually strikes, researchers say. This is a mix of bad and good news. The quake is a certainty, but could be hundreds of years off. While it could happen at any time, seismologists have estimated there is a 15% probability of a magnitude 8 in the next 50 years — a substantial risk for such a devastating scenario. Part of their confidence comes from the history of huge earthquakes in the region. "It could be tomorrow or decades from now. But geologically speaking, we're well within the window of possibility," Dura said. "The last event was in 1700, and paleoseismic records show these earthquakes recur roughly every 200 to 800 years. By 2100, there is a 30% chance of a large earthquake happening." Scientists have a clear picture of what will happen when the earthquake strikes. 'First would come extremely strong shaking – shaking that makes it difficult to stand or walk. This would probably last a minute or longer," said Melgar. Next, land along the coast would drop as much as six-and-a-half feet in places, probably within minutes. "Then there would probably be 30 to 40 minutes of seeming peace. But that's a false impression, because the tsunami is coming," he said. The resulting waves would be on the order of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 50,000 people. The tsunami wave from an earthquake of this size could get to 90 or 100 feet tall, Melgar said. When the tsunami wave arrives at the shore "you get this massive surge that lasts for hours, sometimes days," Melgar said. This is where global warming comes in. Two things play a part in creating the catastrophe their research describes. First, the land would have dropped as much as six feet. At the same time, sea level rise from climate change means that the water which rushes in will cover more land. "You'd hope the tsunami could come to shore, then flow out again and the land would dry out. But there will be parts where it's now below sea level – the water won't flow back," said Melgar. A great Cascadia earthquake could instantly expand flood zones and double flood exposure for residents, structures, and roads. When combined with rising sea levels, these effects could render some coastal communities permanently uninhabitable, said Dura. Even if some areas along the coastline do dry out, they will be much closer to sea level and become susceptible to nuisance flooding if there's a particularly big storm or high tide. The West Coast is subject to numerous small earthquakes all the time, but they're not big enough to relieve the pressure that's being built up along the Cascadia fault line, Melgar said. So much energy has built up in the zone that even a magnitude 8 earthquake wouldn't relieve it. "Remember, the magnitude scale is logarithmic. So each increase in magnitude is an increase of 30 in terms of energy," he said. The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a magnitude 8 temblor and it was devastating. "If we had one magnitude 8 quake here, we'd still have 29 to go to relieve the pressure," he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: A tsunami that never ends? Study highlights a West Coast risk.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists Warn That Massive Flooding and Tsunamis Could Hit 3 Major Regions in the U.S.
A new study from researchers at Virginia Tech warns that parts of Northern California, Oregon and Washington are at risk of serious flooding — and even tsunamis The study's authors explain that an earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone, along with rising sea levels, puts a greater area of land at tsunami and flood risk than previously thought The scientists hope their findings will encourage communities in the region to prepare for the potential effects of large-scale floodingParts of the Pacific Northwest in the United States are at an increased risk of massive flooding — and potentially even landslides and tsunamis — in the coming years, according to new research. A study conducted by Virginia Tech researchers published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says that an earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) — which stretches from northern California to Vancouver Island, British Columbia — combined with rising sea levels could cause coastal land in Northern California, Oregon and Washington to sink up to 6.5 ft. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! This would increase the amount of land at risk of flooding in the region from 35 square miles to 116 square miles and would impact thousands of people and properties, per the study. The researchers additionally stressed that earthquake-driven land sinkage and climate-driven sea-level rise 'need to be considered in tsunami inundation maps.' They say that current tsunami inundation maps of the region — which show areas that would potentially be affected by an earthquake-caused tsunami — do not take rising sea levels into account, nor the 'amplification effect it will have on future tsunamis.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Virginia Tech researchers came to their conclusions by generating tens of thousands of earthquake models to estimate the potential range of damage that can be expected from the next large Cascadia earthquake, per an article on the university's website. Because the timing of the next large earthquake cannot be known, the researchers created two versions of their models — one in which an earthquake in the CSZ struck today and another in which it struck 75 years from now in 2100, when 'climate-driven sea-level rise will further amplify the impacts' of an earthquake. The researchers estimate that if an earthquake were to happen today, an additional 14,350 residents, 22,500 structures and 777 miles of roadway would fall within the post-earthquake floodplain — which is more than double that of previous models, per Virginia Tech. The study's authors ultimately hope that these findings will motivate communities in the Pacific Northwest to prepare for these potential outcomes, especially because it has been estimated that there is a 15% chance that a magnitude eight earthquake or greater will occur in the CSZ within the next 50 years. 'Preparing for these compound hazards can minimize long-term damage, ensure resilient communities and protect critical coastal ecosystems from permanent degradation,' the researchers said in their study. Read the original article on People
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scientists warn if a 1,000-ft ‘mega-tsunami' spurs from an active fault line it could wipe part of America off the map
Scientists are warning that a 1,000-foot-tall ' mega tsunami ' could potentially wipe a large chunk of America off the map – if a strong enough earthquake hits a specific active fault line over the next 50 years. Alaska, Hawaii and parts of the mainland America's West Coast are at risk if an earthquake erupts along the Cascadia subduction zone, a fault stretching from Northern Vancouver Island to Cape Mendocino, California. A recent study by Virginia Tech geoscientists published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that there's a 15 percent chance of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake hitting the region within the next 50 years. That quake, which would potentially flush away cities like Seattle and Portland, Oregon, could also sink coastal land by as much as 6.5 feet, according to the findings. In that instance, the mega tsunami's waves could reach up to 1,000 feet, putting millions of Americans at new risk. While ordinary tsunamis produce waves standing a few feet tall, mega-tsunamis are characterized by extreme height, with waves often stretching hundreds of feet into the air. Unlike gradual climate-driven events, this potential earthquake would 'happen within minutes, leaving no time for adaptation or mitigation,' the scientists warned. 'The expansion of the coastal floodplain following a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake has not been previously quantified, and the impacts to land use could significantly increase the timeline to recovery,' said Tina Dura, lead author of the study and assistant professor in Virginia Tech's Department of Geosciences. The new research found the most severe effects would be in southern Washington, northern Oregon and northern California. Alaska and Hawaii, though further from the fault line, are vulnerable because of their seismic and volcanic profiles. There also has not been a quake of large seismic magnitude along the Cascadia subduction zone since 1700.
