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#           Toward an integrative geological and geophysical view of Cascadia subduction zone earthquakes      

      January 5, 2021    

The Cascadia subduction zone (CSZ) is an exceptional geologic environment for recording evidence of land level changes, tsunamis, and ground motion that reveals at least 19 great megathrust earthquakes over the past 10 kyr. Such earthquakes are among the most impactful natural hazards on Earth, transcend national boundaries, and can have global impact. Reducing the societal impacts of future events in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and coastal British Columbia, Canada requires improved scientific understanding of megathrust earthquake rupture, recurrence, and corresponding hazards. Despite substantial knowledge gained from decades of research, large uncertainties remain about the characteristics and frequencies of past CSZ earthquakes. In this review, we summarize geological, geophysical, and instrumental evidence relevant to understanding megathrust earthquakes along the CSZ and associated uncertainties. We discuss how the evidence constrains various models of great megathrust earthquake recurrence in Cascadia and identify potential paths forward for the earthquake science community.

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####             Maureen L Walton, PhD (Former Employee)          

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#### Lydia M Staisch, Ph.D.

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lstaisch@usgs.gov

#### Joan Gomberg

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206-616-5581

#### Janet Watt

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#### Jonathan P Perkins

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#### Rob Witter, Ph.D.

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rwitter@usgs.gov

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#### Ray Wells

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## Related Content

link

April 26, 2019

####                 GeoMapping for Integrated Science              

Earthquake Hazards Program, Landslide Hazards Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Earthquake Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Big Sur Landslides

link

April 26, 2019

####   GeoMapping for Integrated Science

Learn More

####             Maureen L Walton, PhD (Former Employee)          

##### Research Geologist

Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

#### Lydia M Staisch, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

lstaisch@usgs.gov

#### Joan Gomberg

##### Research Geophysicist

Earthquake Hazards Program

gomberg@usgs.gov

206-616-5581

#### Janet Watt

##### Research Geophysicist

Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

jwatt@usgs.gov

831-460-7565

#### Jonathan P Perkins

##### Research Geologist

Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

jperkins@usgs.gov

650-439-2828

#### Rob Witter, Ph.D.

##### Research Geologist

Alaska Science Center

rwitter@usgs.gov

907-786-7404

#### Ray Wells

##### Research Geologist

Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

rwells@usgs.gov

#### Erin Wirth Moriarty

##### Research Geophysicist

Earthquake Hazards Program

ewirth@usgs.gov

206-685-7563

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####               Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center          

2885 Mission StreetSanta Cruz, CA95060United States

831-460-7401

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