Earthquake may hit California, Washington, could sink Pacific Northwest region, claims study

A recent research study has warned that the next major earthquake in the Pacific Northwest region might end up sinking the coastal land by nearly seven feet. Northern parts of California and Oregon, along with southern Washington will be most hit, if the earthquake occurs, as per a report

Those who will get to survive the tremor could face severe flooding in the area, The Washington Post reported, quoting that study that was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this week.

Study decodes major risks to Pacific Northwest

A team of researchers from the Virginia Tech University has claimed that a magnitude 8.0 and greater tremor in the Cascadia Subduction Zone could result in a tsunami and severely impact the coastal communities.

The drastic rise in sea levels in the region would ultimately expand to as much as 115 square miles, it suggested.

According to Tina Dura, the lead author of the study, this means that there are possibilities of witnessing a disaster similar to the ones in Sumatra and Japan in 2004 and 2011, respectively.

Dura and her team have found "the same kind of fault" as well as the capability to have a massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami and coastal subsidence. Over 227,000 deaths were reported after a 9.2 earthquake hit Sumatra on December 26, 2004, followed by tsunami in the region. On the other hand, the 9.1 earthquake in Japan's Tohoku left more than 18,000 dead in 2011, Independent reported.

Dura told The Washington Post that the sinking of land in the region would alter the coastal communities on a permanent basis. These communities already get to experience floods at the time of king tides.

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When can this happen?

As of now, the researchers can't predict the exact time when the catastrophic quake might hit the region. The study noted that the last time when a powerful quake was reported in the Cascadia Subduction Zone was way back in 1700.

Dura claims that such major events usually are separated by about 450-500 years, adding that quakes can't be “evenly spaced” at all times. She stated that "it could happen any day," before pointing out that there are chances that it might not take place anytime until 2100.

Further, the researchers highlight that the risk of floods due to a major earthquake in that year remains more than triple the risk that we have in today's times, taking into account the rise in sea levels.

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FAQs

Q1. What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone?
A1. Stretching from Northern California to Vancouver Island in Canada, this is the region where one of the planet's crust dives beneath the other one.

Q2. Which regions can get affected by the earthquake?
A2. As per Independent, it can have major effects in the southern part of Washington as well as northern regions of Oregon and California.