Oregon is home to about 4.1 million people, many of whom live in areas that are at risk of natural disasters. The region is rich with natural splendor.
However, the proximity of the mountains and the ocean bring some risks to homeowners. Two of the most likely geohazards in Oregon are tsunamis and earthquakes.
That’s because two of the earth’s tectonic plates strike one another in the Pacific Northwest. This 600-mile-long fault is called the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). As stress accumulates at the fault from its convergence of 1 to 2 inches per year, it increases the potential for earthquakes.
These shaky disasters happen as the earth abruptly releases the pressure that is gradually stored up at the CSZ.
Oregon is also subject to three other earthquake sources, including crustal, volcanic and intraplate activity.
In 1700, an earthquake at the CSZ caused tremors and a tsunami that flooded the coast and extended to Japan. In 2001, an intraplate earthquake in Washington reached northern Oregon. In 1980, earthquakes developed after the eruption of Mount St. Helens. In 1993, two crustal earthquakes shook the land in southeastern Oregon.
Experts predict that a CSZ earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 would be strong from the coast to Willamette Valley. Up to 5 minutes of trembling could cause buildings to collapse, landslides to engulf neighborhoods and lifeline services to be disrupted. A tsunami generated by an earthquake with this level of power could lead to an estimated $30 billion in damages.
Seismological science is improving, but experts can only discuss likely activity. They can’t pinpoint when the next earthquake will occur. Still, advances in structural engineering have safeguarded many homes in Oregon against earthquakes.
But earthquakes aren’t the only threat in this area. Crown Point, 20 miles east of Portland, has experienced severe windstorms. Record-breaking heat affected 10 counties in 2012. The same year saw 48 enormous wildfires and heavier than usual rainfall in 13 counties. Tornadoes can show up unannounced any time of year but are especially likely to occur in the summer.
If you live in Oregon and can’t get property insurance, you may qualify for basic coverage through the FAIR Plan. The Oregon FAIR Plan Association is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide an insurance market for Oregon property owners that live in high-risk areas. More people are taking steps to protect their homes against the perils of living in this state and seeking affordable coverage.