The Big One: The Cascadia Earthquakes and the Science of Saving Lives

This account examines the Cascadian Subduction Zone and the prospect of a major Pacific Northwest earthquake. It explains plate tectonics and subduction earthquakes, then follows researchers seeking evidence of earlier quakes and tsunamis through land and water research, Indigenous oral histories, and Japanese records. It also introduces efforts to reduce future harm, including safer infrastructure, ShakeAlert monitoring, and emergency-response practice.