Unlike some natural disasters that we can depend on arriving at our doorstep every year—hurricanes, tornados, fires—earthquakes can be out of sight and out of mind because of their relative infrequency. But when the Big One strikes, it could be a real catastrophe for the Pacific Northwest coast, deeply disrupting the lives and economies throughout the region.
John Vidale, professor of Earth and Space Sciences and chief seismologist for the State of Washington, wants people to be aware of the threats. He doesn’t want to scare people; rather Vidale wants people to be as prepared as possible for when disaster strikes. He not only studies the kinds of earthquakes we can expect in our region, but applies that knowledge so that emergency managers, city planners, engineers, and others can be more resilient in the face of extreme shaking.
Vidale’s sold-out lecture Tuesday, November 10 at Kane Hall, uncovered the science and data behind earthquakes and earthquake preparedness, outlined some misconceptions about June’s high-profile New Yorker article, and revealed the origins of the Seattle Seahawks Beast Quake. The lecture was part of the Surviving Disaster: Natural Hazards & Resilient Communities series from the UW College of the Environment, UW Alumni Association, and UW Graduate School.
Video of the lecture is now available on YouTube:
Related Reading
- We are earthquake experts. Ask us anything about The Really Big One coming for the Pacific Northwest (Reddit)
- New mapping could help predict ‘The Big One’ (KING5 News)
- The Really Big One (The New Yorker)
- How to Stay Safe When the Big One Comes (The New Yorker)
- If you think New Yorker’s earthquake story is scary, better read this (The Seattle Times)
- Could a Catastrophic Earthquake Really Destroy Seattle? (Slate)
- The M9 Project
- UW Natural Hazards