Living with Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest
Robert S. Yeats
In this expanded new edition of Living with Earthquakes, Robert Yeats, a leading authority on earthquakes in California and the Pacific Northwest, describes the threat posed by the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a great earthquake fault which runs for hundreds of miles offshore from British Columbia to northern California. New research reveals subtle movements on the deepest part of this fault every 14-15 months — building up strain toward the next major earthquake.
Combining cutting-edge research with practical safety information, Living with Earthquakes:
- introduces new information about the danger from faults beneath major Northwest cities: the Seattle Fault, Tacoma Fault, and Portland Hills Fault
- explores such topics as earthquake forecasting, catastrophe insurance, tsunamis, soil liquefaction, and seismic waves in Northwest lakes caused by Alaskan earthquakes
- reviews earthquake preparedness and disaster response in the aftermath of the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, the worst natural disaster in Washington's history
- suggests actions that citizens can take to protect their families and homes
An essential guide for anyone interested in understanding earthquake science or in preparing for the next earthquake, this book is also a call to action. Vivid descriptions of recent disasters — including the great tsunami that swept down the Northwest coast in 1964, the 1993 Oregon earthquakes, and the 2001 Nisqually earthquake — underscore the urgent need for better earthquake planning and awareness.
This title is available as an open acess textbook here.
About the author
Robert S. Yeats is senior consultant for Earth Consultants International and professor emeritus in geology at Oregon State University. He is the author of Living with Earthquakes in California and co-author of The Geology of Earthquakes. He lives in Corvallis, Oregon.
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Preface
- Part I. Introduction
- Part II. Plates, Geologic Time, and Earthquakes
- A Concept of Time
- Plate Tectonics
- Earthquake Basics
- Cascadia
- Earthquakes in the Juan de Fuca Plate
- Earthquakes in the Crust: Closer to Home
- Memories of the Future: The Uncertain Art of Earthquake Forecasting
- Part III. Shaky Ground and Big Waves
- Solid Rock and Bowls of Jello
- Tsunami!
- Part IV. Prevention and Countermeasures
- Earthquake Insurance: Hazards, Perils, Risks, and Losses
- Is Your Home Ready for an Earthquake?
- Earthquake Design of Large Structures
- The Federal Government and Earthquakes
- The Role of State and Local Government
- Preparing for the Next Earthquake
- An Uncertain Appointment with a Restless Earth
Appendix A. Significant Historical Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest
Appendix B. Glossary
Appendix C. Credits
Appendix D. Sources of Information and Websites
Index
"An urgent call to action. After this, we can't say that we haven't been warned."