The Discovery, Communication, and Implementation of New Geologic Findings: Examining the Cascadia Earthquake

The Cascadia Subduction Zone, located off the Coast of the Pacific Northwest, is at risk of generating a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the near future. Despite its significance, the discovery of the seismic potential of Cascadia didn't occur until 1987, when geologist Brian Atwater searched for non-traditional forms of earthquake evidence. As decades of continued research fleshed out Atwater's initial discovery, the implications associated with the discovery became apparent, presenting Washington and Oregon with the high probability that a massive earthquake will take place within the next century. Communicating the severity of this geologic discovery to both the public and the government has increased general awareness and initiated the process for seismic policy progression. However, while scientists, the media, and elected officials have informed the public of the inevitable devastation indicated by geologic analysis, they have failed to communicate that information in an effective way, leaving residents vulnerable. Neither the media or scientists have effectively convinced elected officials to take the financial and political risks to enact adequate mitigation efforts including retrofitting or relocation of at-risk buildings.