Great Cascadia Earthquake (1700)

The Great Cascadia Earthquake, which occurred on January 26, 1700, was a massive seismic event along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where the Juan de Fuca Plate slides beneath the North American Plate. This earthquake, estimated at magnitude 8.7 to 9.2, caused significant ground shaking and triggered tsunamis that affected coastal regions, including Japan. Historical records suggest it was felt across the Pacific Northwest, yet it left no written records in the Americas at the time. Its impact is still studied today to understand earthquake risks and improve preparedness for similar future events.