Earthquake Shakes Washington State - the Nisqually Earthquake
February 28, 2001

Subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate underneath Washington State caused a 6.8 magnitude earthquake at 10:54 a.m (PST) on Wednesday February 28'th about 35 miles southwest of Seattle. Extensive damage occurred in Seattle. Unlike earthquakes near our Earthguide office in southern California, the epicenter of the Seattle quake was deep, at least 30 miles (48 km) beneath the Earth's surface, based on an AP report.


News and Views
Seattletimes.com
Seattletimes.com Photo Gallery

Recent Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest
Local reporting
Seattle Times

Recent earthquakes in the U.S.
U. S. Geological Survey

University of Washington Geophysics Program - Special Report
University of Washington Seismology and Earthquake information

USGS - Understanding Plate Motions
Plate tectonics - the general case. Take a look in the section on Convergent Boundaries about half-way down this page.

USGS - Cascadia Megathrust and Tectonic Stress in the Pacific Northwest
Plate tectonics - the details

Reducing Earthquake Losses throughout the United States: Averting Surprises in the Pacific Northwest
A report from 1995.
U. S. Geological Survey

Washington State Earthquake Hazards, 1988
A report summarizing earthquake hazards in Washington State. Consider concerns expressed over a decade ago.
Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources