Cascadia Subduction Zone

The Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) is a 680 mile fault located just 50 miles off the Pacific Northwest Coast. It runs from northern California up to Vancouver Island. As dense oceanic crust collides with the continental crust, the oceanic crust is thrust under the continental to create a subduction zone. The fault is evident by the long line of active volcanoes along the pacific northwest.

Along with active volcanoes, faults pose a high potential for earthquakes. As stress builds at the plate boundaries, the potential for earthquakes increases. Eventually, the plates will snap causing an earthquake. An earthquake with its epicenter located in the ocean would generate a tsunami.