Over three centuries later, 9.0 quake still resonates

Over three centuries later, 9.0 quake still resonates
COOS BAY, Ore. - Monday was the 309th anniversary of the Great Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and experts say odds are 1 in 7 that we could see a similar event in the next half Century.

Scientific research tells us that on Jan. 26, 1700, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake ruptured along a 600 mile long fault, running from Northern California to Southern British Columbia, causing untold damage and destruction to the Pacific Northwest.

For the fourth year in a row, Southwestern Oregon Community College has invited experts to come speak on this matter.

Dr. Daniel Cox, an Engineering Professor at Oregon State University says geologic records show these will occur every 300 to 600 years, which means there's a 14 percent chance of another earthquake within the next 50 years.

His lecture emphases just how devastating a tsunami can be to a coastal community that's not properly prepared.

"It's an event that's definitely going to happen, it's how do you best prepare for it?" said Ron Metzger, a SOCC geology professor. "So how do we make our structures better, locating structures and planning and also just individually being prepared with water, food and those types of supplies as well."

This information is not meant to concern you, but rather to prepare you and state agencies and local governments across Oregon are currently working to prepare for a natural disaster that could literally strike at any time.