Scientists Warn of Potential Mega Tsunami Threat to U.S. West Coast

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A recent study by Virginia Tech geoscientists has raised alarms about the risk of a 1,000-foot mega tsunami that could devastate parts of the U.S. West Coast, including Alaska, Hawaii, and cities like Seattle and Portland. This warning comes in light of a projected 15 percent chance of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake occurring along the Cascadia subduction zone within the next 50 years, as reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study, led by assistant professor Tina Dura, highlights that such an earthquake could significantly alter coastal landscapes, potentially submerging land by up to 6.5 feet. The anticipated tsunami could generate waves reaching catastrophic heights, posing an immediate threat to millions of residents and leaving little time for evacuation or preparation.

Scientists emphasize that the potential devastation from this natural disaster could take years to recover from, as the increased floodplain poses challenges for future land use. Alaska and Hawaii, though geographically distant, are also considered vulnerable due to their seismic profiles. There has not been a significant quake along this fault line since the year 1700, raising concerns about the overdue risk.

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