Photo: Maria Orlova

How big is a 9.0 earthquake?

A magnitude 9.0 earthquake can last for five minutes or longer, and the amount of energy released is about 1,000 times greater than that of a 7.0. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the most powerful quakes could leave few if any masonry buildings standing, destroy bridges and toss objects into the air.

opb.org - What Is A 9.0 Earthquake? - OPB

Can police trace a bullet to a gun?

Bullets fired from guns have distinct markings, as unique as fingerprints. Once the state lab has one bullet, all they need is a gun, a test fire,...

Last updated Jan 17, 2021

Is collecting rainwater illegal in New York?

New York does not restrict or regulate rainwater harvesting. Rainwater harvesting is allowed with specific regulations, such as the water being...

Last updated Dec 8, 2020

Promotion

Monday, January 26, marks 315 years since a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake shook Oregon. Geologists believe that quake was around a magnitude 9.0 — and that another one is looming for the region. Understanding the level of destruction associated with these types of temblors makes it clear why geologists are so concerned.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: Become a Sponsor

What is a subduction zone earthquake?

A subduction zone is a large area where two plates of the Earth's crust meet and one is forced under the other. The plates sliding past each other cause extreme amounts of force to build up as friction restricts the movement. When the amount of force built up exceeds the friction holding it back, the plates slide past each other, causing the ground to rumble. Subduction zone earthquakes typically break across a much larger area than fault-line "bullseye" quakes (like the San Andreas), and can affect an area hundreds of miles long.

How do we know the subduction zone exists here?

Mostly because of geological data left behind by subduction zone earthquakes, known as megathrust earthquakes. Subduction zones are the only type of plate meeting that can cause earthquakes greater than magnitude 8.5, according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. The last one off the Oregon coast happened January 26, 1700.

Why do scientists worry that we'll have a 9.0 earthquake off the Oregon Coast?

Geological evidence shows that earthquakes at or near a magnitude 9.0 have been happening along the Cascadia Subduction Zone for thousands of years. Scientists have even been able to figure out how often they happen along the fault section that spans the Oregon Coast — an average of every 234 years. Since the last one happened 315 years ago, Oregon is due for a major event. A timeline of documented earthquakes along the Cascadia Subduction Zone throughout history. Oregon State University and DOGAMI

How is a 9.0 different from a 6.0, or a 7.0?

There is a significant difference in the damage caused by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and a more common magnitude 6.0 or 7.0. In the latter, the shaking does not last as long and it may only damage poorly built structures. Sometimes a magnitude 7.0 earthquake can be strong enough to damage earthquake-resistant structures, however. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake can last for five minutes or longer, and the amount of energy released is about 1,000 times greater than that of a 7.0. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the most powerful quakes could leave few if any masonry buildings standing, destroy bridges and toss objects into the air.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: Become a Sponsor

Who got rich off the Great Depression?

Not everyone, however, lost money during the worst economic downturn in American history. Business titans such as William Boeing and Walter...

Last updated Jan 6, 2021

Why was Battlefield 2042 refund?

A rapidly growing number of Battlefield 2042 players have signed a petition demanding refunds for their purchase of EA's troubled shooter, accusing...

Last updated Dec 13, 2021

Promotion

Will CA fall into the ocean?

No, California is not going to fall into the ocean. California is firmly planted on the top of the earth's crust in a location where it spans two tectonic plates.

usgs.gov - Will California eventually fall into the ocean? | U.S. Geological Survey

No, California is not going to fall into the ocean. California is firmly planted on the top of the earth’s crust in a location where it spans two tectonic plates. The San Andreas Fault System, which crosses California from the Salton Sea in the south to Cape Mendocino in the north, is the boundary between the Pacific Plate (that includes the Pacific Ocean) and North American Plate (that includes North America). These two plates are moving horizontally, slowly sliding past one another. The Pacific Plate is moving northwest with respect to the North American Plate at approximately 46 millimeters per year (the rate your fingernails grow). The strike-slip earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault are a result of this plate motion. There is nowhere for California to fall, however, Los Angeles and San Francisco will one day be adjacent to one another!

Learn more:

Is it better to divorce or stay unhappily married?

The study found that on average unhappily married adults who divorced were no happier than unhappily married adults who stayed married when rated...

Last updated Aug 27, 2022

Why do I have no faith in myself?

There can be many reasons that we don't believe in ourselves: We don't believe in ourselves because someone told us we shouldn't. We fear failure,...

Last updated Jul 17, 2018

Promotion

Who should not detox?

Detox diets aren't for people with health problems. They're not recommended for people with diabetes, heart disease, or other medical problems....

Last updated Jul 21, 2018

Promotion

Are humans good at surviving?

Modern humans have gotten incomparably good at survival, doing more to extend our lives over the last century than our forebears did in the...

Last updated Mar 5, 2022