Scientists say NW overdue for giant earthquake
by KATU Web Staff
PORTLAND, Ore. - Scientists are urging city planners and emergency
services to get ready for the Big One.
They say an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater is overdue for the
Northwest, and that the area is not prepared for the aftermath of such
a powerful temblor.
The quake is expected to strike the Cascadia Subduction Zone, an active
fault line under the Pacific Ocean that runs as close as 20 miles to
the Northwest shorelines.
Scientists say that when - not if - the earthquake takes place, the
consequences could resemble the devastation that struck Indonesia in
December of 2004 after an 8.9 magnitude quake hit off the coast in the
Indian Ocean.
Over 200,000 people were killed after tsunamis unleashed by the quake
hit along coastlines in several countries around the Indian Ocean.
Scientists say the conditions off the Oregon and Washington coastlines
are similar to the setting in Indonesia, and tsunami waves should be
expected after the big quake.
Several communities along the Oregon coastline have evacuation plans in
effect if a tsunami warning is sounded. But scientists say the
devastating effects of such a large earthquake could stretch inland to
major metropolitan areas as well.
State Geologist Vicki McConnell says that besides coastal tsunamis,
people should expect massive damage to buildings, bridges and highways
if a large quake hit the ocean fault line.
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