Posted
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 08, 2014
Did You Feel It?
A small earthquake of magnitude 3.3 rattled Washington County just after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6. The quake was centered five miles northwest of Sherwood at a depth of around 12 miles and was felt from St Helens south to Salem. No damage or injuries were reported from the shaking.
Despite the limited impact of Sunday's quake, geologists warn that a more damaging earthquake can occur at any time. When an earthquake is felt, the public is advised to:
- DROP to the floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a desk or table. Stay away from windows, bookcases, pictures and mirrors, hanging plants and other heavy objects that may fall. Be aware of falling materials such as plaster, ceiling tiles and bricks that may come loose during the quake.
- Stay under COVER until the shaking stops.
- HOLD ON to the desk or table providing protection and if it moves, move with it.
Emergency management officials say Sunday's temblor is a good reminder to prepare for more intense geological events scientists anticipate in the future.
"The Pacific Northwest is a very active seismic area," said Scott Porter, director of the Emergency Management Cooperative of Washington County. "What sets the Northwest apart from many other active seismic areas is the relative infrequency of damaging earthquakes. That infrequency leaves much of the region's aging infrastructure at risk and doesn't provide the constant reminder of the need to be prepared."
Recent earthquakes in the Northwest have been significant, but not nearly as damaging as the Cascadia Subduction Zone quake geologists anticipate will strike the region soon. Earthquakes such as the 5.6 magnitude Spring Break Quake of 1993 centered near Scotts Mill, Oregon, or the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually Quake of 2001 near Olympia, Washington, each resulted in injuries and millions of dollars of damage. Geologists predict a Cascadia Subduction Zone event could result in thousands of deaths, thousands more injuries and billions of dollars in damage.
"A rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, running just off the coast from British Columbia to Northern California, would be catastrophic," said Porter. "Violent shaking would last anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes, overwhelming structures and systems that are simply not built to withstand such an event."
Although the Subduction Zone scenario may seem frightening, preparedness experts emphasize that smaller events – such as Sunday's quake – can serve to motivate the public to take simple steps toward earthquake preparedness.
"Use Sunday's quake as your reminder to become better prepared," said Porter. "Be informed, develop a plan, and build a kit with appropriate supplies to get through the early hours and days and, perhaps, weeks of a major emergency."
For more information on step-by-step approaches toward disaster preparedness, visit these websites:
The Emergency Management Cooperative (EMC) of Washington County is committed to the development and maintenance of a countywide, integrated system to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against disasters. The EMC comprises Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, Washington County and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.
Media Contact:
Philip Bransford, Communications Officer, County Administrative Office503-846-8685
[email protected]