Geoscience research is at the forefront of characterizing the earthquake risks associated with the Cascadia subduction zone in the Pacific Northwest. This webinar informs listeners of the science and its implications for policy decisions and resiliency efforts. During the webinar, the three presenters will provide an overview of what we know about the Cascadia subduction zone and the associated earthquake risk, how this information is used to guide policy decisions, how the science should be communicated, what state and local governments are doing to address the risks, and what more could be done to better protect the Pacific Northwest.
Overarching questions addressed in this webinar include:
- What does geoscience tell us about the risk posed by the Cascadia subduction zone?
- How is earthquake science used in the decision-making process?
- What challenges do state and local decision makers face responding to the threat of large-scale earthquakes in their area?
- How can information about earthquake risk be communicated effectively to decision makers and the public?
- What actions are state and local decision makers taking to prepare for the risks posed by Cascadia and other similar faults? What other actions could be taken?
Our speakers include:
- Chris Goldfinger, Oregon State University | Slides Video
- Jeff Rubin, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue | Slides Video
- Tom Brocher, Earthquake Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey | Slides Video
Webinar Co-Sponsors:
U.S. Geological Survey, Western States Seismic Policy Council, Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission
CEU Credits
To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.
Resources to learn more:
- View this webinar's Question & Answer session
- U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2014-3083: ShakeAlert: an earthquake early warning system for the United States West Coast
- U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014-1097: Technical implementation plan for the ShakeAlert production system: an Earthquake Early Warning system for the West Coast of the United States
- Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup: Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquakes: A magnitude 9.0 earthquake scenario
(also available at: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries: Open-File Report 13-22 and Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources: Information Circular 116) - California Geological Survey Special Report 115: Planning Scenario in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, California for a Great Earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone
- Oregon Resilience Plan
Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about earthquakes in the Cascadia region.