Chris Goldfinger's TED Talk on Cascadia
We are a very fortunate generation of Oregonians and the first generation to recognize the risk associated with living here. The Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) is a 600‐mile long "megathrust" fault that stretches from Northern Vancouver Island to Cape Mendocino California. Describe components: Juan De Fuca plate North American plate Subduction Trench Missoula floods from the last ice age Plates are stuck and pressure is building The plates are moving about the same speed as your fingernails grow or about 1 inch a year. Multiply that by 316 years and you have about 30 feet of stress built up. Coastal uplift and coast range tipping east
Stress relieved. Earthquakes always start from the south. North America jumping 30 feet to the West. Coastline sinks 4‐6 feet. Lots of aftershocks
The further you get from the fault, the less damage occurs
Infrastructure
A subduction zone earthquake is diasterous for infrastructure. If you are interested in some of the LO planning you can read more here:
Homes
Wood frame homes actually do pretty well during a subduction zone earthquake if they are secured to their foundation.
Learn more about preparing yourself, home and family here: