Massive Earthquake Could Devastate Pacific Northwest: Report Warns of Sudden Coastal Flooding

A new scientific report has renewed fears of a catastrophic megaquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, warning that parts of the Pacific Northwest could sink as much as 6 feet within moments of the quake. The result? Instant coastal flooding, infrastructure failure, and a wave of life-threatening consequences that could unfold with little to no warning.

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published the report on April 28, painting a grim picture of what could happen across coastal communities in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California when—not if—the next major Cascadia earthquake strikes.

Sudden Coastal Subsidence: A Hidden but Devastating Earthquake Effect

While earthquakes typically conjure images of shaking buildings and cracked roads, scientists are increasingly worried about a lesser-known phenomenon: sudden coastal subsidence. This occurs when the ground suddenly drops during a powerful subduction zone earthquake, dramatically increasing the risk of tsunami-like flooding—even without a tsunami.