'Mega earthquake' warning in Japan highlights concerns for Cascadia on West Coast

(Update: Add video, interview with researcher)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A new “large earthquake warning” in Japan is raising questions about what it could mean for Pacific coastal communities — including here in Oregon.

This warning was issued after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan just days ago on December 8th. The worst case of a “mega-earthquake” in the Hokkaido-Sanriku region could produce waves approaching 100 feet in parts of Japan, cause nearly 200,000 deaths and cause severe damage to coastal communities, officials say.

Although scientists estimate that the chances of such an event occurring are only 1%, Japan's new advisory system is intended to serve as a wake-up call — not an accurate prediction. It was created after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 18,000 people. Under this system, when an earthquake with a magnitude exceeding 7.0 hits certain areas, authorities issue an alert that a larger earthquake may follow in the coming days.

“This is not a prediction. This is a probabilistic warning,” Eric Velasco, an earthquake expert and postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, told KTVZ News on Wednesday. “This is an exercise of our confidence on how to respond to an earthquake. This is also happening in Japan. This is not to scare people – it is to prepare.”

For many Oregonians, this warning carries a strange echo from the past. In March 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake off Japan unleashed a tsunami that crossed the Pacific Ocean, sending waves into ports along the West Coast. Although the waves here were much smaller than in Japan, they still damaged docks and boats and generated dangerous rip currents that caught some sailors by surprise.

KTVZ's Seismic Shift series recently explored how a large earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone could similarly send evacuees into the mountains into central Oregon, straining housing and emergency services. A massive tsunami produced by Japan would not cause the same mass displacement, but it would still be a test of coastal evacuation systems, outreach to tourists, and the ability of ports to secure ships and infrastructure early.

Jonathan Allan of the Oregon Department of Geology and Minerals told KTVZ in an email that if a tsunami was generated by the recent earthquake in Japan, it would take approximately nine to 10 hours to reach the Oregon coast — a time that could mean the difference between safety and disaster.

“If this type of earthquake and tsunami happens in Japan, we will have a few hours to respond in the United States, so we have to be prepared, we have to be prepared. That's the call here,” stressed Velasco, who studied his doctorate in Japan.

As Japan braces for the possibility of another powerful earthquake off its coast, scientists and emergency managers in Oregon are watching closely, preparing for a real-life lesson in how tsunamis move across the Pacific Ocean.

Velasco added that Japan's experience shows the power of public education and teamwork. During the 2011 disaster, more than a million people were safely evacuated — a success credited to ongoing training and community-level awareness.

“If we work as a community and cooperate with each other, we will be able to prepare for this type of event,” he said.

Experts stress that the main message is not fear, but rather preparedness.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos