316th anniversary of huge offshore quake reminds all to prepare

It was 316 years ago Tuesday, more than 100 years before the United States would begin colonizing the area that eventually became Oregon and Washington, a powerful earthquake occurred along the Cascadia subduction zone, a plate that stretches from Vancouver Island, B.C., all the way to California.

The earthquake, which has been estimated to have had a moment magnitude of 8.7-9.2, is classified as a “megathrust earthquake” — our planet’s most powerful caliber of quake.

Local geologist Scott Burns, Ph.D., is a Red Cross Cascades Region board member who is often called on to discuss the effects of earth-shifting events.

“Oregonians are more prepared today than they have been in the past,” said Burns. “But we are far from ready for the effects of shaking, landslides, liquefaction and tsunamis that are sure to occur in the event the Cascadia subduction zone shifts.”

Over the past 10,000 years, at least 19 earthquakes have been found on the whole margin from Northern California to British Columbia, which means a recurrence interval of approximately 500 years.

The southern margin of Cascadia south of Newport is more active, with a recurrence interval of about 250 years, but quakes are of a lower magnitude in the 7.8-8.4 range, according to Burns.

“While we can’t predict the precise time and date of the region’s next large earthquake, we can take some important precautionary steps to prepare for an emergency — it could be another 600 years, or an earthquake could strike tomorrow,” Burns added.

The Red Cross recommends people take the following steps to prepare for an earthquake:

* Practice “drop, cover and hold on” in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
* Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed in case the earthquake strikes in the middle of the night.
* Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances, bookcases, china cabinets and tall furniture to wall studs.
* Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
* Keep and maintain an emergency supply kit in an easy-to-access location.

In addition to following these steps, downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App provides a host of information about what to do before, during and after a disaster. The app also provides alerts and notifications regarding natural disasters, information on how to prepare your family and home, and how to find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out. You can download the app directly from the iTunes or Google Play app stores.

For more information on disaster preparedness, visit http://www.redcross.org/news/article/local/or/Tips-to-Prepare-for-the-Next-Cascadia-Quake–

In addition, the Cascades Region offers free emergency preparedness presentations that can be scheduled for any type of organization including schools, faith-based organizations, businesses, government entities, neighborhood associations and nonprofits. Trained preparedness professionals lead these free classes and walk participants through the risks of various disasters.

The presentation also provides attendees a first-hand look on how to put together a disaster kit and make a plan. To request a presentation, visit http://www.redcross.org/local/or/preparedness