The Fault in Our Stars (or More Like, Under Our Coffee Shops): Seattle's Shaky Surprise
Living in the Emerald City, you're surrounded by stunning scenery, from the majestic mountains to the sparkling Puget Sound. But beneath all that beauty lies a not-so-secret roommate: the Seattle Fault. Yes, Seattle has its own personal fault line, just itching to make a dramatic entrance (hopefully not anytime soon).
Not So Silent, Not So Secret
The Seattle Fault wasn't exactly throwing wild parties until the 1990s. That's when a bunch of scientists crashed the scene and revealed, "Hey everyone, this seemingly stable ground you're standing on? Yeah, it's got a bit of a crack in it." Turns out, this crack is a network of shallow faults, which basically means the Earth's crust is like a bumpy, uneven road trip through tectonic plate-land.
The Big One (Hopefully Not Coming Soon)
Now, the Seattle Fault isn't known for throwing toddler-tantrum-level earthquakes. But geologists believe it's capable of unleashing a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, which, while not quite "The Big One" from the movies, would definitely be a wake-up call (and possibly a coffee table-toppling event).
The good news? The last major earthquake on the Seattle Fault is estimated to have rumbled through around 1,100 years ago. So, statistically speaking, we're probably due for a new couch by the time the next big one hits (hey, gotta stay positive, right?).
Fun Fault Facts (Because Everything's Better with Fun Facts)
- The Seattle Fault runs right under Interstate 90, which could make for a very interesting (and possibly nausea-inducing) commute in the event of a quake.
- The fault zone stretches from near Fall City all the way to Hood Canal, basically saying "surprise!" to a large chunk of the Puget Sound.
- Some researchers believe the Seattle Fault might be connected to a much larger, ancient tear in the continent. So, our little fault line has some serious lineage, apparently.
Living on the Edge (Literally) - FAQ
How to prepare for an earthquake?
The Washington Emergency Management Division has a fantastic website with earthquake preparedness tips:
How big of an earthquake can the Seattle Fault generate? Geologists estimate a maximum of magnitude 7.0.
How often do earthquakes hit on the Seattle Fault? The last major earthquake is believed to have occurred around 1,100 years ago. Earthquakes are unpredictable, but statistically, we have some time.
Should I move away from Seattle because of the fault? Seattle is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. Earthquakes are a natural hazard in many places, and there are steps you can take to prepare.
Is the Seattle Fault related to the Cascadia Subduction Zone?
No, although they are both tectonic features, they are separate. The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a much larger fault system where a tectonic plate is subducting under the North American Plate. This zone has the potential for generating much larger earthquakes.