Experts Warn 1,000ft ‘Mega Tsu.ami’ Could Dev.state Three U.S. Regions
A new study warns that Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. West Coast face potential devastation from a 1,000-foot “mega tsunami.” Researchers from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences identified the Cascadia subduction zone—stretching from Canada’s Vancouver Island to California—as the likely epicenter. A major earthquake here, combined with rising sea levels, could trigger catastrophic flooding, particularly impacting northern California, Oregon, and Washington.
Experts estimate a 15% chance of a magnitude 8.0+ quake occurring within 50 years. Lead researcher Tina Dura emphasized that coastal communities near estuaries would be most vulnerable to land subsidence. Unlike densely populated areas affected by past tsunamis, Cascadia’s unique geography could prolong recovery efforts, making the potential disaster especially challenging for regional infrastructure and residents.
