What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone?

Volcanoes And Earthquakes Questions Medium



80 Short 80 Medium 80 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the Cascadia Subduction Zone?

The Cascadia Subduction Zone is a tectonic plate boundary located off the west coast of North America, stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. It is where the Juan de Fuca Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate. This subduction zone is known for its potential to generate large and destructive earthquakes, as well as tsunamis. The last major earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone occurred in 1700 and is estimated to have had a magnitude of around 9.0. Scientists continue to study this subduction zone to better understand its behavior and potential hazards.