Overview

• The Cascadia Subduction Zone has a 15% probability of a magnitude 8.0+ earthquake within the next 50 years, according to new research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
• Such an earthquake could trigger mega-tsunamis and cause coastal land to subside by up to 6.5 feet, severely impacting recovery timelines and land use.
• Alaska faces heightened risks due to climate-driven glacier melting, which destabilizes slopes and increases the likelihood of massive landslides.
• Hawaii’s active volcanoes, including Kīlauea, remain a threat, with unstable slopes capable of collapsing and generating devastating waves.
• USGS and FEMA estimate a 37% chance of a magnitude 8–9 Cascadia quake in 50 years, underscoring the urgent need for monitoring and preparedness in vulnerable regions.