Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, May 20: In a chilling revelation, scientists from Virginia Tech have issued a stark warning about a potential mega-tsunami that could devastate the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii in the event of a massive earthquake along the Cascadia Subduction Zone — a tectonic fault stretching over 600 miles from northern California to Vancouver Island in Canada.

The warning comes from a peer-reviewed study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which estimates a 15% probability of a magnitude 8.0 or higher earthquake occurring in the region within the next 50 years. The impact, researchers say, could trigger a catastrophic chain of events — including land subsidence of up to 6.5 feet and towering tsunami waves capable of racing miles inland.

The Cascadia Subduction Zone is where the oceanic Juan de Fuca Plate is slowly being forced beneath the North American Plate. This geological setup is capable of producing “megathrust” earthquakes, among the most powerful seismic events known to mankind.

“These earthquakes are like ticking time bombs,” said a lead researcher from Virginia Tech. “They may be infrequent, but when they do occur, the devastation could rival the worst natural disasters in modern history.”

While standard tsunamis typically produce waves a few feet high, mega-tsunamis are spawned by enormous underwater displacements, such as massive undersea landslides or earthquake-induced shifts. These waves can reach hundreds of feet in height, engulfing entire coastal regions within minutes.

Experts point to historical examples such as the 1958 Lituya Bay tsunami in Alaska, where a wave reportedly reached 1,700 feet, as a stark reminder of what nature is capable of.

The study highlights the following areas as most vulnerable:

• Northern California

• Northern Oregon

• Southern Washington

• Alaska’s southern coast

• Hawaiian islands, due to proximity to Pacific seismic activity

Coastal infrastructure, ports, power plants, and population centres could be wiped out, with damage extending deep into inland territories.

Federal and state disaster management agencies are being urged to re-evaluate emergency preparedness plans. Communities in the Pacific Rim are advised to participate in evacuation drills, reinforce critical infrastructure, and spread public awareness about tsunami safety protocols.

With rising sea levels and continued coastal urbanization, experts warn the human and economic toll of a mega-tsunami today would far surpass those of historical precedents.

As scientists push for greater awareness, the hope is that preparation and planning can reduce the impact of what may be an inevitable geological event.