SECOND EDITION – FEBRUARY 2016
JEFFERSON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT has prepared a series of
articles to explain the agency’s participation in the Cascadia Rising 2016 Exercise.
Included in the series of five articles will be some very local history, real-world eventuality
of 9.0M earthquake and how local residents can become better prepared.
This exercise, which will include the coastal communities of Washington, Oregon and
British Columbia, has been in the planning stages for the past two years and is designed in
a worst case scenario model.
Multiple agencies in Jefferson, Clallam and Kitsap Counties have opted to participate at
some level during the four-day exercise, June 7-10, 2016.
This series of articles is intended to inform county residents about Jefferson County
Emergency Management’s role in the exercise together with a basic understanding of the
ground we walk on.
This is the second edition in the series which will continue with monthly editions through
May 2016. A follow-up article will be published after the exercise that will outline lessons
learned.
WHAT IS A SUBDUCTION ZONE?
The U.S.Geological Survey, (USGS), defines a subduction zone as a large area where two plates
of the earth’s crust meet and one is forced under the other. As those plates slide past each other, a
large amount of force builds up as friction restricts movement. When the amount of built-up
force exceeds the friction, the plates slide past each other causing the ground to rumble.
Subduction zone earthquakes can affect an area hundreds of miles long.
FAULTS
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources defines a fault as a feature in the earth’s
crust where rock periodically breaks and moves, releasing seismic energy and creating an
earthquake.
Faults can be grouped, based on their relative movement, into three types with each type having
different kinds of earthquakes. Most of the faults in Washington are a mix of a strike-slip fault
and a thrust or reverse fault.
A strike-slip fault occurs when two blocks move past each other. The San Andreas Fault in
California is an example of this type of fault.
A reverse fault occurs when two blocks are pushed together and one moves up and over the
other. The Seattle fault is an example of one that is mostly reverse.
A thrust fault is a special kind of reverse fault that has a shallow dip. The Cascadia Subduction
Zone along the Washington and Oregon coasts is one of the largest geologic hazards to our state
and an example of a thrust fault.
ACTIVE FAULTS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Washington has dozens of active faults and fault zones. Some of these faults are in remote areas.
Others, like the Seattle fault and southern Whidbey Island fault zone, cross under major cities
and pose a significant hazard.
In general, larger faults make larger earthquakes. All faults, regardless of size, can be dangerous
if they rupture.
The largest active fault that will affect Washington (and the whole Pacific Northwest) is the
Cascadia Subduction Zone. This fault produces some of the largest and most damaging
earthquakes in the world (M9). A damaging earthquake is inevitable on this fault, but we do not
know exactly when it will happen.
Geologists are constantly trying to better understand the faults in our state. Many faults have not
been studied enough to know if they are active. Other faults are inactive and are left over from
much older periods of deformation. These older faults do not have any evidence for recent
activity, but the Earth is always changing. See more at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-andservices/geology/geologic-hazards/earthquakes-and-faults#active-faults-and-futureearthquakes.4
In Washington, the risk from earthquake-induced landslides is large. Many landslide-prone areas
of Washington are also located near active faults. The 1949 earthquake near Tacoma triggered a
landslide near the Tacoma Narrows that caused a local tsunami. Even places that are far from
active faults are still at risk during a large Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.
THE STRENGTH OF A 9.0 EARTHQUAKE
The USGS explains the strength of a 9.0 earthquake this way: by means of an example, a 7.0
earthquake does not last as long as a 9.0 and might only damage poorly built structures.
Occasionally however, a magnitude 7.0 quake can be strong enough to damage earthquakeresistant structures.
A magnitude 9.0 quake can last for five minutes or longer, and the amount of energy released is
about 1,000 times greater than that of a 7.0. The most powerful quakes could leave few if any
masonry buildings standing, destroy bridges and toss objects into the air, according to the USGS.
Most damage and loss of life in earthquakes is a result of ground shaking which can also cause
landslides, surface ruptures, ground cracks, liquefaction, tsunamis and seichs (standing waves).
AFTERSHOCKS
After large earthquakes, there are usually many aftershock earthquakes which can be nearly as
large as the main earthquake and can cause significant additional damage. These aftershocks can
last for hours to weeks to months.In the month following the 2011 Tohoku, Japan earthquake,
there were about 60 magnitude 7 and magnitude 6 earthquakes.
AND THEN. . .
. . .THE TSUNAMI
Studies have shown that the strength of an earthquake together with the direction and topography
of the seafloor determine if/when a tsunami will follow an earthquake. Earthquakes trigger
tsunamis when the seismic activity causes the land along the fault lines to move up or down.
When parts of the seafloor shift vertically, either becoming raised or lowered, entire water
columns become displaced. This creates a “wave” of energy, which propels the water, according
to USGS’s National Earthquake Information Center. To determine whether an earthquake will
generate a tsunami and to predict how severe it will be, researchers measure the height and
energy of the ensuing wave by using ocean-pressure sensors and tide gauges, according to the
USGS. Tsunamis triggered by earthquakes usually require at least a M7 event. Because they
need large earthquakes that move the ocean floor, tsunamis are most commonly made by
subduction zone faults like those found off the coasts of the Pacific Northwest, Japan and Chile.
EARTHQUAKE EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS
While predictability of a tsunami has been developed, ability to predict earthquakes in a timely
and accurate manner is still in the testing stages.
Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) systems are currently operating in several countries, and
others are building them. Since 2006 the USGS has been working to develop EEW for the
United States, with the help of several cooperating organizations. The goal is to create and
operate an EEW system for the highest risk areas of the United States beginning with the West
Coast states: California, Washington and Oregon.
(Pacific Northwest Seismic Network)
EEW systems use earthquake science and the technology of monitoring systems to alert devices
and people when shaking waves generated by an earthquake are expected to arrive at their
location. The seconds to minutes of advance warning can allow people and systems to take
actions to protect life and property from destructive shaking.
Even a few seconds of warning can enable protective actions such as notifications to:
• Public: Citizens, including schoolchildren, drop, cover, and hold on; turn off stoves, safely
stop vehicles.
• Businesses: Personnel move to safe locations; automated systems ensure elevator doors open;
trains can be warned to slow down or even stop; production lines are shut down; sensitive
equipment is placed in a safe mode.
• Medical services: Surgeons, dentists, and others stop delicate procedures.
• Emergency responders: Open firehouse doors, personnel prepare and prioritize response
decisions.
• Power infrastructure: Protect power stations and grid facilities from strong shaking. (USGS)
A coalition of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and university partners to include the
University of Washington, have been developing and testing ShakeAlert, an early warning
system for earthquakes along the West Coast.
HOW DOES SHAKEALERT WORK?
ShakeAlert is a demonstration early warning system that began sending alerts to test users in
California in January 2012 (see www.shakealert.org ). The system detects earthquakes using the
California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN), an existing network of about 400 high-quality
ground motion sensors. When fully operational, ShakeAlert will be able to distribute alerts
through all available distribution channels, including FEMA’s Wireless Emergency Alert system
and Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, smartphone apps, social media providers, and
other electronic alert technologies as they develop.
Test users of ShakeAlert receive alerts through the demonstration user interface, a computer
application with both audible and visual alert features. After ShakeAlert detects an earthquake, a
map pops up on the user’s screen to show the location of the earthquake epicenter (the point on
the surface directly above the quake’s starting point) and of waves moving toward the user; also
shown is the time remaining until waves will reach the user’s location and cause the indicated
intensity of shaking. An alert sound alternates with a voice that counts down to the arrival time
of seismic waves and announces the expected intensity.
The ShakeAlert system is still in the demonstration phase. USGS has published an
implementation plan spelling out the steps needed to complete the system and begin issuing
public alerts (Given and others, 2014). Before it can be released to the public and be set up to
trigger automated actions, it requires additional development and further testing to make it
sufficiently reliable as well as end-user education on how to understand and use alerts.
The successful completion of the system will require the coordinated efforts of government
agencies at all levels, private companies, and the public. California recently committed to
developing earthquake early warning statewide, and companies are beginning to develop
products to use and distribute the alerts.
The ongoing work of USGS scientists, together with partner organizations on earthquake early
warning systems, is only part of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program’s efforts to
safeguard lives and property from the future quakes that are certain to strike along the West
Coast and other areas of the United States.
The amount of advance warning time that might be available from a system like ShakeAlert for
our area is anticipated to be approximately five minutes. Scenarios include magnitude an M 9
quake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone with an epicenter offshore of northernmost California.
Major population centers could have as much as several minutes warning before shaking waves
from those quakes struck them. The network of seismic (earthquake) sensors is more
concentrated near major faults and population centers.
Watch for the third in this series in your mailbox in March. Comments or questions can be
sent to [email protected].
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JEFFERSON & CLALLAM COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN NOW TEXT TO 9‐1‐1 Effective February 1, 2016
Jefferson County 9-1-1 and Clallam County 9-1-1 will be officially ready to receive Text-to-911 from the
public.
Text-to-9-1-1 allows members of the community to send text messages to reach 9-1-1 emergency call takers
from their mobile phones or other devices.
BENEFIT
“We see the main benefit of this technology in helping the Deaf/hard of hearing and those with speech
difficulties in gaining equal access to 9-1-1 during an emergency. This technology will also allow the general
population to access 9-1-1 when they are not able to freely talk on their device,” said Jeffcom Director Karl
Hatton.
NEED TO KNOW
1. In some areas, Text-to-9-1-1 is not available. Washington State 9-1-1 centers are working diligently
on getting this technology into their centers. If you text in an area without coverage, you will get a
“bounce-back” message asking you to call 9-1-1 for help.
2. Text-to-9-1-1 does not provide location accuracy and it is of critical importance that you know your
location and are able to provide that location to the 9-1-1 call taker if you send a text.
3. Text in plain English and avoid the use of common texting abbreviations. Don’t use emoticons or
attempt to send attachments such as video or pictures. The 9-1-1 center has no ability to open
attachments.
4. Only Text-to-9-1-1 if you are unable to call 9-1-1. We want to remind the public: “Call if you can,
text only if you can’t.”
Before using Text-to-9-1-1
Check with your wireless phone company. In general, you must have a text-capable wireless phone and a
wireless service subscription or contract with a wireless phone company. You also need a “wireless data plan.”
Remember, you can make a voice call to 9-1-1 using a wireless phone that does not have a service plan, but
you cannot send a text message to 9-1-1 without a service contract that includes texting.
Each phone or other text message-capable device is different. Familiarize yourself with your phone’s text
message capabilities before you have a need to text 9-1-1.
For more information
Visit www.jeffcom911.us.
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Important notice for NIXLE Subscribers
This coming June, Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will be
participating in an important exercise together with Oregon, multiple agencies in Washington
State and British Columbia.
The exercise, dubbed Cascadia Rising, is focused on the potential of a 9.0 magnitude
earthquake and ensuing tsunami caused by the rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone
tectonic plates that run from the coast of California into Canada—about 700 miles in length—60
miles off the Pacific Coast.
“During the days of the exercise (June 7-10), we will be using Nixle to send and receive
information,” said DEM Director Bob Hamlin. “The messages will be prefaced with DRILL ONLY
so subscribers can readily see that the information pertains to the exercise. We want Nixle
subscribers to be aware of this and look for the header DRILL ONLY when they get Nixle
messages during the days the exercise is taking place.”
A series of articles about the exercise can be found on DEM’s website at www.jeffcoeoc.org.
Click on the header CURRENT and scroll down to 007: Cascadia Subduction Zone Newsletter.
Articles will be put on the website monthly through May.
Comments or questions can be sent to [email protected].
In 2007, Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) became number 42
in the nation to use the NIXLE notification system to alert subscribers about incidents involving
public safety to include severe weather, and safety hazards. Today, DEM has over 4,000
subscribers.