Avatar_default
Reputation: 21
Follow 0
Follow 1

If an earthquake hit in Elliott Bay, aren't we all fucked?

If an earthquake big enough to cause a tsunami hit in Elliott Bay, wouldn't that also mean it was big enough and close enough to the population center of Seattle (where I live) that we'd all pretty much be fucked, no matter how prepared we were?

Kathleen Barry asked in Earthquake! about 1 year ago | Report
New answers are not being accepted at this time.
Latest Greatest

2 Answers

  • Golobdendrogram_small
    Reputation: 41
    Follow 0
    Jonathan Golob

    The Seattle Fault (roughly paralleling I-90, extending across Elliot Bay) is probably the closest thing to what you're worrying about. The Seattle fault is quite similar to those that caused the Kobe and Northridge Earthquakes.

    Given that the fault is right in town, and extends under the bay, Seattle is predicted to receive severe damage when it ruptures--with a limited sort of Tsunami-like wave in the Sound that would be likely to inundate the waterfront, downtown and other low-lying areas.

    This fault is quite different from the one off the Pacific Northwest Coast (the Cascadia Subduction Zone) or the fault that just ruptured in Japan.

    With all that said, it is very unlikely that we'd all 'pretty much be fucked, no matter how prepared we were'. If you have an option, try not to live in an older brick building, or an older (non-flexible) concrete building. Support stronger building codes (in part, by opposing the BIAW and voting Democratic). Keep a readily accessible cache of water and non-perishable food, as well as some warm clothing. Meet your neighbors. While there will almost certainly be fatalities and injuries when the Seattle Fault ruptures, the majority of us should fair fairly well.

    Jonathan Golob answered in Earthquake! about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • 41668_1788363870_5140_n_small
    Reputation: 31
    Follow 0

    If you are on the waterfront or in an older unsecured building that might be true. However, if you are reasonably prepared for an earthquake, you should do very well: www.govlink.org/3days3ways. After the shaking stops you would get out from under the protective cover you found when the quake started, pick up the mess in your home caused by the shaking and go out to help your neighbors who were not nearly as foresighted as you in preparation. For those who really want to be a help after the event, go to http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/ to see how you can train to be useful after the big earthquake.

    Bruce Schoonmaker answered in Earthquake! about 1 year ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend: