I vividly remember the 1965 earthquake in Seattle when I was a kid. The house shook, and we were all instructed to stand in doorways, a common safety measure at the time. It scared me then, but it’s only in recent years that I’ve come to realize the full extent of the risks associated with Seattle’s seismic activity.
For those unaware, Seattle is sitting right on top of the “Seattle Fault Line,” a seismic zone that could trigger significant earthquakes in the future. The Seattle Fault is an east-west thrust fault that runs through the Puget Sound Lowlands, crossing right through the city of Seattle, including areas near I-90. Although it wasn’t until 1992 that experts began to fully recognize the Seattle Fault as a substantial seismic hazard, its history goes back much further.
I hadn’t given much thought to the possibility of a tsunami until my sister mentioned it to me recently. As it turns out, if the Seattle Fault were to trigger a large enough earthquake—say a 7.5-magnitude one—it could produce a massive tsunami, with waves that could impact Seattle’s waterfront and even further inland.
A simulation created by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reveals just how serious the situation could be. According to CNN, tsunami waves could reach heights of up to 42 feet near the Seattle Great Wheel, and travel as far inland as Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. This isn’t just a threat for Seattle but could affect low-lying areas to the north as well, such as Bellingham, where simulations show a potential rise of 10 to 11 feet of water.
Also Read – King County Sheriff’s Office Reduces Staffing at Two Precincts Amid Budget Cuts
Interestingly, the last earthquake from the Seattle Fault occurred nearly 1,100 years ago, but the impact of a similar event today would be catastrophic. The potential destruction from a tsunami would be far-reaching, especially if the wave encountered a harbor. In this case, the harbor could act like a bathtub, causing the wave to slosh back and forth, amplifying the destruction before it recedes.
The study on this was conducted by geologists from the Washington Geological Survey within DNR, and it underscores the seriousness of the threat that lies beneath the surface.
While this may not be a concern for me, living in Wenatchee, my sister in Edmonds might not be so fortunate. If a 45-foot tsunami were to hit, I’m unsure how safe she would be, but I certainly hope she’s well out of harm’s way. The prospect of such an event is unsettling, but it’s crucial to understand the risks and prepare for the worst.
It’s a reminder that natural disasters are unpredictable, but they’re also preventable if we take the necessary precautions and understand the science behind the risks.
