Tsunami Impacts from a Seattle Fault Earthquake

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released a new study regarding the tsunami impacts that would affect Metro Seattle in the event of an earthquake on the Seattle Fault. The last known earthquake on the Seattle Fault occurred about 1,100 years ago, but the geologic record indicates an estimated a magnitude 6.5 event occurred on the Fault Zone in the last 3,500 years. This report and the associated simulations are meant to be used by planners and state and local emergency managers to prepare for this event. The study shows that portions of the shoreline in the greater Seattle area could see a tsunami wave of greater than 20 feet. The press release has additional information and links to download the study and maps. You can also see the video simulations below.