Edited, March 5, 10 a.m. to include a link to the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management website. This link inclusion is to provide additional information on how to prepare for emergencies for our local community.
NORTH SOUND, MARCH 5: Playing off Jerry Lee Lewis’s song – there’s been a ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On’ lately in the region. Early Monday, March 3 morning near Orcas Island in the San Juan Island, there was a 4.5 magnitude earthquake. This event was the latest in what seems like a series of recent shakes in the Puget Sound area.
Going back in sequence, on Feb. 27, a 3.3 magnitude quake was centered near Snoqualmie. On Feb. 24, a 2.7 magnitude shaker occurred near Fall City. That same day a 5.3 quake hit northwest of Vancouver, BC.
On Feb. 22, a 3.4 magnitude earthquake occurred near Maple Valley and on the 18, a 3.0 magnitude shaker was near Hyak. And there have been many more earthquakes under 3.0 that have struck in just the past month. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) has a full list on its website.
More Quakes To Come?
Some have asked whether this series of ‘smaller’ earthquakes could lead to a much larger shake. Authorities at the PNSN have stated that this is not really the case. The odds of a big earthquake remain the same – one in 50 years.
Ironically, this series of earthquakes happened to center around the Nisqually Earthquake 24 years ago on Feb. 28. That quake was a 6.8 magnitude shaker near Anderson Island in the south Puget Sound area, and caused considerable damage throughout the region.
We Are In Earthquake Country
These earthquakes serve as a reminder that this earthquake country and that this region ranks number two for the most earthquake-threatened state, behind California. Several dozen sizeable earthquakes have occurred in Washington going back more than 150 years to 1872.
What To Do
Earthquakes are no-notice events. There are actions that can be taken in advance at home, at your business or school, or even if caught on the road when an earthquake occurs. The Washington State Emergency Management earthquake readiness website has considerable information to help become better prepared ahead of an earthquake.
One earthquake preparedness event occurs each year in October – the Great Shakeout. Last year, more than 1.3 million in Washington registered and participated in this drop, cover, and hold exercise. Schools, businesses, faith-based organizations, and many at home participated and shared social media photos, sharing the fun drill. Registration for this year’s Washington State Great Shakeout is already open. Signing up will take but just a few minutes.
The question is – are you ready for a significant earthquake? There are several earthquake faults that straddle the Puget Sound region including the South Whidbey Fault that if it lets go, will generate considerable shaking from a 7.0 magnitude or greater quake, creating a great deal of damage in the North Sound region and beyond.
And then there is the Cascadia Subduction Zone about 100 miles off the coast that stretches from northern Vancouver Island to northern California. The last time that earthquake zone ‘let go’ was on Jan. 26, 1700, with an estimated 9.0 magnitude. Shaking lasted for up to 5 minutes and generated a Pacific-wide tsunami with tsunami waves inundating coastal regions and into Western Washington interior waters.
Geologists indicate this earthquake source releases pressure about every 300 to 500 years, meaning it could occur at any time now. This subduction zone is similar to others around the Pacific Ocean basin including the one off the coast of Japan that produced a major earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.
This recent series of ‘smaller’ earthquakes once again serves as a reminder to get ready in advance in case a larger earthquake occurs. Being ready ahead of time can help save lives for your family, neighbors and loved ones.
For specific disaster or emergency information, see the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management page.
