100-Ft ‘Doomsday’ Tsunami Could ‘Wipe Out’ Part Of US ‘Any Moment’ | What's This ‘Cascadia Threat’?

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 11:32 IST

The Cascadia Subduction Zone has stayed calm for 300 years. When it finally breaks, it could trigger a huge earthquake followed by a tsunami with waves as high as 100 feet.

Areas in the Cascadia Subduction Zone are slowly sinking each year. (Representative Image)

While the world focuses on AI threats and the looming possibility of World War III, Mother Nature has issued a stark reminder of her own power. Scientists have long warned of impending natural disasters, and a new study published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences (PNAS) adds to those concerns.

The research suggests that the United States could soon face one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in its history.

What Is The Threat?

The Cascadia Subduction Zone has stayed calm for 300 years. When it finally breaks, it could trigger a huge earthquake followed by a tsunami with waves as high as 100 feet. The disaster could bring severe damage and threaten many lives from northern California in the US to British Columbia in Canada. According to a new study, this could cause sudden and serious changes.

Scientists found that during a major earthquake, the land could sink by 0.5 to 2 meters within minutes. Along with the sinking, rising sea levels could lead to a much bigger risk of flooding. The study warns that by the year 2100, the number of people, buildings and roads at risk of flooding could more than triple. Researchers say this growing danger needs more attention, planning, and action to reduce damage in the future.

What Scientists Are Warning The World About Now

Speaking with BBC Science Focus, Prof Tina Dura, the lead author of the study, ‘Increased flood exposure in the Pacific Northwest following earthquake-driven subsidence and sea-level rise,’ “We talk about climate-driven sea level rise, which is occurring at three to four millimetres a year, and that does eventually add up. But here we’ll have two metres of sea level rise in minutes. Why aren’t we talking about that more?"

“This is going to be a very catastrophic event for the US, for sure. It’s a dual threat. The tsunami is going to come in, and it’s going to be devastating. But with tsunamis, we also know that some places are going to be very hard hit, while other places are probably not going to feel as severe effects because of the way the coast is configured. But those areas can still be in the zone of subsidence," Dura added.

Rising Waters And Sinking Land

The study reveals that while many coastal areas are gradually sinking each year, parts of Washington, Oregon and Northern California are experiencing the opposite, land uplift due to deep underground movements. In cities like Astoria, Port Orford, and Crescent City, the land is rising faster than sea levels, causing water levels to remain stable or even decline slightly. However, in areas such as Yaquina Bay and Coos Bay, the land is rising more slowly, leading to a noticeable increase in sea levels.

One exception is Humboldt Bay in Northern California, where the land is sinking. Scientists warn that by around 2030, sea levels will rise faster than the land can keep up. By 2050, water levels may rise to 10 to 30 centimetres, and by 2100, sea levels might increase by 40 to 90 centimetres if carbon emissions stay high.

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News viral 100-Ft ‘Doomsday’ Tsunami Could ‘Wipe Out’ Part Of US ‘Any Moment’ | What's This ‘Cascadia Threat’?