Earthquakes rattle Pacific Northwest on fault overdue for 'Big One'

"The fault line off the coast of Oregon has experienced multiple earthquakes in less than 12 hours, sparking fears that a major seismic event could soon strike. The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the latest tremor, a 5.1 magnitude, at 1:00pm local time on Tuesday, bringing the total to nearly a dozen above 2.5 magnitude. The seismic activity began late Monday when a 5.8 magnitude tremor hit, triggering aftershocks throughout Tuesday."

"In April, researchers at Virginia Tech found that an 8.0 magnitude or higher quake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, combined with rising sea levels, would cause coastal land to sink up to 6.5 feet within 30 minutes of a major tremor. The most severe effects would hit southern Washington, northern Oregon and northern California, some of the region's most densely populated areas."

Multiple earthquakes struck offshore Oregon within 12 hours, including magnitudes 5.8 and 5.1, with nearly a dozen tremors above magnitude 2.5 detected. The epicenter lay about 102 miles west-southwest of Port Orford along the Cascadia Subduction Zone where the Juan de Fuca Plate subducts beneath the North American Plate. The fault produces frequent small offshore tremors and can generate a magnitude 9 event capable of impacting Seattle, Portland and much of the northwestern US coast. An 8.0+ quake combined with rising sea levels could cause coastal land to subside up to 6.5 feet within 30 minutes, greatly expanding the coastal floodplain.

Read at Mail Online