Cascadian Earthquake

A Cascadian Earthquake refers to a major, powerful earthquake occurring along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where the Juan de Fuca Plate is slowly sliding beneath the North American Plate off the Pacific Northwest coast. This region is capable of generating "megathrust" earthquakes, with magnitudes of 8.0 or higher, which can cause widespread damage, tsunamis, and disruptions over several states and provinces. Such events happen irregularly, roughly every 300 to 600 years, with the last significant quake in 1700. Preparing for a Cascadian Earthquake involves understanding risks, designing resilient infrastructure, and developing emergency plans.