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The Cascadia Subduction Zone is in close enough range to Seattle to cause serious damage to the city. A Cascadia Earthquake woluld be around 9.0 magnitude and last a few minutes. Brick buildings would certainly collapse, wood framed structures could last more. Experts debate what would happen to downtown's skyscrapers. Some argue they could not handle so much shaking and collapse. Others say they should remain standing. |
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is in close enough range to Seattle to cause serious damage to the city. A Cascadia Earthquake woluld be around 9.0 magnitude and last a few minutes. Brick buildings would certainly collapse, wood framed structures could last more. Experts debate what would happen to downtown's skyscrapers. Some argue they could not handle so much shaking and collapse. Others say they should remain standing. |
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| − | Other structures at risk include highways and bridges. Notably the [[ |
+ | Other structures at risk include highways and bridges. Notably the [[Alaskan Way Viaduct]] which is already at plan to be replaced due to earthquake risk. |
Tsunamis would not pose a risk to Seattle because Puget Sound is protected by the Olympic Penninsula. |
Tsunamis would not pose a risk to Seattle because Puget Sound is protected by the Olympic Penninsula. |
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Revision as of 20:17, 21 February 2006
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a giant fault running off the coast o the Pacific Northwest. It is where the Juan de Fuca plate slides under the North American plate. When stress builds up between the plates an earthquake goes off sometimes accompanied by tsunamis.
Hazard to Seattle
The Cascadia Subduction Zone is in close enough range to Seattle to cause serious damage to the city. A Cascadia Earthquake woluld be around 9.0 magnitude and last a few minutes. Brick buildings would certainly collapse, wood framed structures could last more. Experts debate what would happen to downtown's skyscrapers. Some argue they could not handle so much shaking and collapse. Others say they should remain standing.
Other structures at risk include highways and bridges. Notably the Alaskan Way Viaduct which is already at plan to be replaced due to earthquake risk.
Tsunamis would not pose a risk to Seattle because Puget Sound is protected by the Olympic Penninsula.