Why do some try to predict when an earthquake will take place? We can't do that

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   Missing Linkposted 9 years ago

   Why do some try to predict when an earthquake will take place?  We can't do that yet can we?
   
   We are not able to predict when earthquakes will happen right?  You see, I live near Portland, OR. and we are apparently on or near a major fault line.   There have been recent articles saying we are due for a big one---like maybe a 9.0.  But in my opinion it could happen tomorrow or 600 years from now right:?  Some say it is going to happen in February of next year; there is no way anyone could know that right?

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2. 57

   retrojoeposted 9 years ago

   Earth scientists don't have the ability to reliably predict when exactly a quake will happen, but they do have the ability to forecast the probabilities (percentage chance during say 30 or 50 years).  The more they know about the history of the fault zone in question, the more accurate their forecast will be. 
   
   They have amassed much info on the Cascadia Subduction Zone near Oregon and Washington's coast through studying core samples from the ocean bottom to determine when undersea avalanches occurred.  They have come up with a 10-15% probability  (in 50 years) of the largest possible quake that can occur there (8.7-9.1 magnitude), when the whole 700 mile fault ruptures, and a 37% probability for a smaller quake (8.0-8.6 magnitude) on just the southern portion of the fault. 
   
   I have gone over the data, and in my opinion their estimation of the former is overstated (I would place it at more like 5%) and their estimation for the later is understated (I would place it at 50%).  What this means, if I am right, is that there is a ten times greater risk of the southern fault rupturing before there is a rupture of the whole fault and the larger, more damaging quake probably won't happen till well after this smaller, but still dangerous quake occurs. 
   
   Unfortunately, everyone is paying attention (thanks in large part to our sensationalist media) to the worst possible case scenario and causing so much alarm that people in the potential danger zone want to go bury their head in the sand instead of prepare.  Nobody is giving the most probable scenario the attention needed to prepare in the most likely geographic areas (the southern 2/3rds of the coastal areas of Oregon).
   
   I believe that Portland, OR doesn't have to be as concerned with the most likely type of quake to come next, but if a quake of 8.7 magnitude or larger is next to occur, the epicenter will be around 100 miles due west of Portland and then, things would become much more dangerous for the area.  Seismologists will say that one should prepare for the worst case scenario, but I say that if you can't afford to prepare for the worst case situation, prepare for the most likely.  In my opinion it is best to look at things in the most realistic light rather than alarming everyone to the point that many hit the panic button or shrug their shoulders and give up (feel helpless and thus do nothing).

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      Missing Linkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Joseph for your excellent & educational feedback!  I will read it a few more times to make sure I understand it all.    It's a bummer cause I have a wife, 2 kids, a new house, etc. I live in Hillsboro - 40 minutes West of Portland.

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   2. 57

      retrojoeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      For a hazard map of the Pacific NW, go to: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/ … azards.php (if you are in the orange or red you should be sure that your house is bolted to the foundation +10 days of non-perishable food & water).

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   3. 71

      Larry Fieldsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I think that Joseph's comment is spot-on. Geological studies on earthquakes yield more probabilities about the risks than certainties. This allows policy-makers (and home-owners to take reasonable precautions that are proportionate to the risks.

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