If there’s one thing I personally worry about for Oregon, Washington and California…it’s a big quake.
The concern might be linked to the frightening quakes I went through as a kid in Southern California. I can tell you where I was and what I was doing when each of them hit.
But even if you don’t generally worry about earthquakes, you have to wonder: does the Japan 9.0 Mega-quake of February 2011 mean a greater risk of big quakes for the Western U.S. or other parts of the world?
I don’t know of any research to answer this question related to Japan, yet. But I found a study that does give me chills.
Evidence That One Big Quake Can Increase The Odds Of Other Big Quakes
This study was done after the magnitude 9.0 Sumatran earthquake that happened on December 26, 2004. And I didn’t find it on billybobjim’squake blog or anything like that. Although I’m sure he has some great posts…if there even is a billbobjim out there.
This one is a study from Rice University. If you check out the brief highlights of the earthquake study you’ll see the 2004 quake actually weakened the San Andreas Fault in California. And that’s just for starters. I say, this one is worth the read.
there was a piece on MSN.com yesterday I think about the ‘four corners’ aspect of the Rim of Fire plates and sort of a domino effect. Cascadia fault would be next. Right now, I’m way more worried about the nuclear crap happening. I’m not ready for a big chain reaction.
BJ–I’ll look for that. Four corners…interesting. Thank you!
nothing has been said about the other island of Japan. Is it possible they sustained damage from the earthquake or the tsunami????
Great point. I’ll check into it and see what I can find out. Thanks, Patti!
There is not an increased risk in the Pacific NW from earthquakes in Japan according to this reputable source: http://www.pnsn.org/INFO_GENERAL/faq.html#7
Still, one wonders…