Destructive Study: Earthquake 8 Richter could sink sections from California to Washington
A huge earthquake in the northwest Pacific could quickly transform areas of the coast from the north California Until Washington, causing rapid sinking of land land, dramatically increasing sea levels and increasing the risk of floods for communities.
This results from a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which examines the possible effects of the « big », a strong earthquake along the Cascadia rift extending from Canada to California.
The area has long been preparing for such an event, which will launch a large tsunami, causing extensive disasters and potentially killing tens of thousands of people.
When is an earthquake likely to occur over 8 Richter
A major earthquake could cause the land sinking along the coast more than six feet and significantly extend the coastal flood zone with « permanent impact on coastal populations, infrastructure and ecosystems », according to the study.
There is a 15% chance of an earthquake greater than 8 Richter in the rift over the next 50 years, the study said.
« The expansion of the coastal flooding plain after an earthquake in the Cascadia rift zone has not been quantitated previously and the impacts on land use could significantly increase the timetable for recovery, » Tina Douraki said in a university publication.
While the rise of sea levels due to the climate is gradually taking place, these changes will unfold at one point and persist for decades to centuries, Dura and other study writers write.
The devastating effects
The most important effects will occur in the « densely populated » parts of southern Washington, North Oregon and Northern California.
And if the next major earthquake occurs in 2100 – there is a 29% chance of an earthquake over 8 degrees until then – with the rise of sea level due to the climate, some « low altitude » areas along the rift may never recover, according to the study.
The authors wrote that they hope that the findings could support decision -making and coastal communities better prepare for the dangers caused by an earthquake and rising sea levels due to climate.
« Preparing for these complex risks can minimize long -term damage, secure durable communities and protect critical coastal ecosystems from permanent degradation, » the authors wrote.
When gave earthquake the Cascadia rift in the past
The last major earthquake along the Cascadia subcontinent took place in 1700 and had a sudden rise in sea level by more than six feet in a matter of minutes and created a huge tsunami that destroyed seaside settlements and created implications.
Recent research shows that a 9 -magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia underpass zone could lead to more than 30,000 deaths, 170,000 damaged or damaged coastal constructions and economic impacts of more than $ 81 billion. A 2022 study found that a tsunami caused by a major earthquake could exceed 200 feet high.
