The Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) is a megathrust fault that stretches from Northern
Vancouver Island to Cape Mendocino California. It
has produced some the strongest earthquakes in
Great subduction zone
Pacific Northwest.
earthquakes are the largest
Scientific evidence indicates that a magnitude
earthquakes in the world, and
8.0-9.0 earthquake occurs along the 800-mile
are
the only source zones that
long CSZ fault on average once every 200 to 500
can produce earthquakes greater
years. The last major earthquake and tsunami
than and 8.5.
along the fault occurred over 300 years ago in
1700. Recent subduction zone earthquakes
around the world underscore the catastrophic impacts communities will face when the next CSZ
earthquake and tsunami occurs in our region:
Recent Subduction Zone Earthquakes
 Indonesia (2004) – M9.1 – 228,000 fatalities
 Chile (2010) – M8.8 – 500 fatalities
 Japan (2011) – M9.0 – 18,000 fatalities
SEICHE - (pronounced say-sh) If you
have observed water sloshing back
and forth in a swimming pool,
bathtub, or cup of water,
you have witnessed a
small-scale seiche.
Cascadia Rising 2016 is a functional exercise
intended to test local, state, tribal, and federal governments, select private
sector and non-governmental organizations’ ability to jointly respond to a
Cascadia Subduction Zone 9.0 magnitude earthquake . Add to that seiche,
tsunami, and aftershocks and this is the disaster to prepare for. You,
wonderful volunteers, are invited to play along in this exercise! The Kirkland
Emergency Operations Center will activate for this four-day functional exercise
June 7-10, 2016.
Conducting successful life-saving and life-sustaining response operations
in the aftermath of a Cascadia Subduction Zone disaster in Kirkland will
hinge on the effective coordination and integration of government,
community based organizations, and the public. One of the primary goals
of Cascadia Rising is to train and test this whole community approach to
complex disaster operations together as a joint team.
CERT trained volunteers are encouraged to participate in the simulation. They
will be integrated into roles at the EOC and in simulated response functions in
the community. Please start thinking about your involvement now! Tuesday
through Friday are prime work days for most people. Could your supervisor
consider this community service time? Might this be good work experience for you to bring back to your
workplace? These are things for you to consider if you seek time away from work to play a role in this
exercise.
In February the Office of Emergency Management will open registration for CERT graduates to participate in
Cascadia Rising 2016 here in Kirkland. OEM will request play at increments of 2 hours at a time. You may sign
up for as many increments as you wish, the smallest amount of time we request is a 2 hour commitment.
Save the dates, and come play with us!