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The “big one” might not come alone: Double West Coast earthquake threat

Science Daily · May 2, 2026, 12:47 PM

Key takeaways

  • Two major fault systems along North America's West Coast, the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault, may be more closely connected than previously believed.
  • "We're used to hearing the 'Big One' -- Cascadia -- being this catastrophic huge thing," said Chris Goldfinger, a marine geologist at Oregon State University and lead author of the study.
  • Deep-Sea Evidence Reveals a Hidden Pattern

Why this matters: new research or scientific developments with potential real-world impact.

Two major fault systems along North America's West Coast, the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas fault, may be more closely connected than previously believed. A new study suggests that activity on one fault could trigger earthquakes on the other, raising the possibility of closely timed seismic events.

"We're used to hearing the 'Big One' -- Cascadia -- being this catastrophic huge thing," said Chris Goldfinger, a marine geologist at Oregon State University and lead author of the study. "It turns out it's not the worst case scenario."

Deep-Sea Evidence Reveals a Hidden Pattern

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