Earthquake in Russia serves as a reminder of Washington state's vulnerability to a significant seismic event
In the Pacific Northwest, the potential threat of a major earthquake, particularly from the Cascadia Subduction Zone, looms large. The state of Washington is taking proactive measures to mitigate the impact of such an event, combining advanced early warning technology with comprehensive risk reduction strategies.
The first purpose-built evacuation tower on the West Coast can be found in Tokeland, Washington, built by the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in 2022. This tower, a true tsunami refuge, is a testament to the state's commitment to preparedness. Nearby areas like Ocean Shores and Westport, however, lack high ground, necessitating evacuation on foot in some instances.
The ShakeAlert Early Warning System, active since 2021 in Washington, is expected to save lives in the event of a major quake. This system provides significant warning times, up to a minute or more, offering crucial seconds for protective actions. The system automatically sends early warnings to phones, transit systems, hospitals, and schools immediately after initial tremors.
Washington's earthquake preparedness plan also incorporates federal programs such as FEMA’s National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). This program supports state efforts through funding, training, seismic building codes, and risk mitigation. For 2025, FEMA is providing grants to states, including Washington, to identify critical facilities in high-risk zones, conduct response exercises with first responders, and train officials to inspect and strengthen vulnerable infrastructure.
The state follows federal preparedness guidelines such as FEMA’s Comprehensive Preparedness Guides (CPG), which help develop coordinated emergency operations and hazard assessments tailored to specific threats like earthquakes. This holistic approach to preparedness aims to minimise the impact of a potential Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake or other major seismic events.
The Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 700-mile-long megathrust fault stretching from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, to Cape Mendocino in Northern California, is the primary concern. The last known megathrust earthquake in the Northwest occurred over 300 years ago. Recent earthquake warnings, such as the one triggered by a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Far East coast, serve as reminders of the potential danger.
However, there's no indication that the swarm of earthquakes at Mount Rainier presents a significant danger. This recent swarm, the biggest ever recorded at Mount Rainier, does not show the hallmarks of being a sign of magma on the move.
In the event of a strong earthquake near the coast, it should be treated as a potential tsunami warning. Tsunami warnings were indeed issued across the Pacific, including Washington state's west coast, following recent earthquake activity. Washington state seismologist Harold Tobin received a tsunami warning from the Tsunami Warning Center, confirming the justified nature of these warnings.
The fault that triggered the Russian quake is similar to the Cascadia Subduction Zone fault off the Washington coast. The most considerable tsunami heights from the 8.8 earthquake near Russia were experienced in the Hawaiian Islands, with heights reaching 5.7 feet. While such heights would be devastating in Washington, the state's preparations aim to minimise the impact.
Residents in densely populated Washington areas near water should know their "on foot" evacuation route. No immediate deaths were reported from the recent earthquake activity, but there were some injuries. The state's comprehensive preparedness plan, leveraging advanced technology and strategic planning, aims to ensure that such incidents remain rare.
[1] ShakeAlert Early Warning System [2] FEMA’s National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) [3] FEMA’s Comprehensive Preparedness Guides (CPG) [4] Washington State Emergency Management Department
- The ShakeAlert Early Warning System, active since 2021 in Washington, not only sends early warnings to phones but also to hospitals, schools, and transit systems, aiding in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise efforts by giving crucial seconds for protective actions.
- FEMA's National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) supports state efforts via funding, training, seismic building codes, and risk mitigation, contributing significantly to the science of earthquake preparedness and the health-and-wellness of residents.
