Recorded On: March 9, 2018
Air Date: March 12, 2018
Over the last few decades, advancement in our understanding of the dynamics of the earth's surface and the geology of the Cascadia region has revealed that this region is subject to high intensity earthquakes. This is a result of the collision of large elements of the earth's crust called plates. Earthquakes of this type occur less frequently than those from horizontally moving faults like the San Andreas, but they are often of much larger magnitude.
According to geologists there have been quakes of magnitude 8 or 9 every 200 years or so in the region, for the past 5,600 years. Cascadia has not had an earthquake of these magnitudes in 318 years.
Researchers warn that a magnitude 8 or greater earthquake in Cascadia would be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. Our speaker discusses some of the economic implications of such a disaster. He also discusses the actions that public and private entities can take to help reduce the negative impact an event of this magnitude would have on local, regional, and state economies. The talk addresses topics including: summaries of the economic costs of earthquakes and natural disasters in the U.S. and elsewhere; the challenges of planning for extended blackouts of municipal services; and some of the post-quake economic factors that business owners will face with recommendations that could help mitigate negative economic consequences.
Speaker:
Steve Robinsom, Cascadia Prepared.
Program Coordinator: Ralph Pledger
Copyright KLCC, 2018
