SES 4UE Subduction zone case study: Cascadia fault
Documentary: Countdown to catastrophe - Earthquake in North America
(National Geographic, 2013)
View the documentary in the link above and respond to the following questions:
1. What is a "Mega-quake" and where do they occur?
2a. Where is the Cascadia fault?
b. Why is it possible that the Cascadia region could experience a similar earthquake and tsunami as Japan did in 2011?
c. How does the use of sonar help detect this impending problem?
3. Why are subduction earthquakes the largest?
4. What clues have geologists used to determine when a quake will happen again along Cascadia?
5a. Why is Memphis , Tennessee also at risk for earthquakes? Why is this of concern?
b. What evidence was found to support this?
c. How far are we from Memphis?
6a. What are the predicted impacts of a mega-quake on the west coast?
b. Which cities would be affected and are they prepared?