Early Saturday morning, a magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck near Auburn, Washington. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 25.3 kilometers, was felt in Tacoma, Seattle, Olympia, and Camano Island. This quake follows a magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Squamish, British Columbia, the day before. These recent events highlight the seismic activity in the Pacific Northwest, particularly linked to the movement of the Juan de Fuca and North American Plates in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Washington State is at high risk for large earthquakes due to its geologic setting. The region typically experiences three types of earthquakes: shallow fault quakes, deep earthquakes, and subduction zone earthquakes. According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, while most earthquakes are too small to be felt, the state has the second highest risk in the U.S. for significant seismic events. Understanding and being prepared for these different types of earthquakes is crucial for residents in this active region.
Source: King-5