Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Explore Search: Cascadia

link
Illustration looking at oceanic plate subducting below another with a volcano on it.
link

Subduction Zone Science

Subduction Zone Science

Most of the world’s earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions are caused by the continuous motions of the many tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s outer shell. The most powerful of these natural hazards occur in subduction zones, where two plates collide and one is thrust beneath another. Explore this collection of resources related to subduction zone science and research.

link
Illustration looking at oceanic plate subducting below another with a volcano on it.
link

Subduction Zone Science

Subduction Zone Science

Most of the world’s earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and volcanic eruptions are caused by the continuous motions of the many tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s outer shell. The most powerful of these natural hazards occur in subduction zones, where two plates collide and one is thrust beneath another. Explore this collection of resources related to subduction zone science and research.

Filter Total Items: 380
Charts or Graphs
Cascadia sparker data with ghosts removed, with annotation identifying geologic contacts, offset layers, and a submarine land

Cascadia sparker data with ghosts removed, with annotation identifying geologic contacts, offset layers, and a submarine landslide deposit

Before/After Image
Example sparker data from Cascadia Subduction Zone showing multiple ghost reflections

Slider image showing example Cascadia sparker seismic data with ghost reflections and ghosts removed, with annotation

Charts or Graphs
Example sparker data from Cascadia Subduction Zone showing multiple ghost reflections

Example sparker data from Cascadia Subduction Zone showing multiple ghost reflections

Charts or Graphs
Map showing North Cascadia regional tectonic setting

Map showing North Cascadia regional tectonic setting

Charts or Graphs
Map showing where data have been collected along the Cascadia Subduction Zone

Updated Cascadia Subduction Zone fieldwork map

Photography
scenic river view. Tall pine trees line a river with large cobbles visible through clear water. Wildfire smoke taints the sky

Quartzville Creek below Galena Creek near Cascadia (14185865)

Center News
Map showing North Cascadia regional tectonic setting

Uncovering 14,000 Years of Seismic Activity in Northern Cascadia

Animated GIF
Animated GIF of Cascadia 1700 tsunami simulation at Salmon River, Oregon

Animated GIF of Cascadia 1700 tsunami simulation at Salmon River, Oregon

Illustrations
Map illustration of the seafloor off the continental coastline shows all of the regions and tracklines of recent fieldwork.

Cascadia fieldwork map

Charts or Graphs
A map shows relief of a long stretch of continental margin with features on land and in the ocean labeled with lines and words.

Cascadia megathrust fault map

Illustrations
Colorfully shaded map of the seafloor showing the many unique canyons created by nearby rivers.

Topography and Bathymetry of Southern Cascadia

Featured Films and Shorts
Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel

Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone

publication
image of publications layered on a wooden table

Post-glacial stratigraphy and late Holocene record of great Cascadia earthquakes in Ozette Lake, Washington, USA

Center News
View of Salmon River estuary, Oregon, from above

Studying Tsunami Sands to Better Understand the 1700 Cascadia Earthquake

Charts or Graphs
Regional overview map of the Cascadia convergent margin with the locations of methane seeps

Regional overview map of the Cascadia convergent margin with the locations of methane seeps

Charts or Graphs
Physiographic Cascadia

Physiographic Cascadia

Data Release
Collage of images of an earthquake, scientists in flood with instruments, a volcano erupting, and seismic illustration.

Compiled onshore and offshore paleoseismic data along the Cascadia Subduction zone

Illustrations
Illustration looking down on a coastal margin with ocean floor features shown off the coast.

Cascadia margin bathymetry

Photography
Blue green mountain river lined with steep rock walls and evergreens in the distance. Equipment installed in the sheer wall.

Quartzville Creek near Cascadia Oregon

Charts or Graphs
Figure showing cross-sections of the southern Cascadia margin, showing the subsurface structure of the outer arc high

Cross-sections of the southern Cascadia margin, showing the subsurface structure of the outer arc high

Illustrations
Physiographic image of the Pacific Northwest

Physiographic image of Cascadia

Photography
Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel

Cover image for Cascadia Subduction Zone coring video

Featured Films and Shorts
Image of researchers labeling a sediment core aboard a research vessel

Collecting Sediment Cores from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (AD)

Charts or Graphs
Illustration helps visualize the seafloor character showing canyons and and the rivers that form them.

Southern Cascadia topography and bathymetry

Center News
Methane seeping on the Virginia margin just shallower than the limit for gas hydrate stability.

Methane Seep Distribution in the Cascadia Subduction Zone

Research
Colorfully shaded map of the seafloor showing the many unique canyons created by nearby rivers.

Cascadia Subduction Zone Database

Data Visualization
Collage of vessel, glacier, mineral, and scientist testing substances in pipets.

Cascadia subduction zone database: compilation of published datasets relevant to Cascadia subduction zone earthquake hazards and tectonics

Photography
A vertical map taped to a whiteboard shows the length of the Cascadia Subduction Zone in bathymetric detail

A vertical map taped to a whiteboard shows the length of the Cascadia Subduction Zone in bathymetric detail

publication
image of publications layered on a wooden table

Subducting plate structure and megathrust morphology from deep seismic imaging linked to earthquake rupture segmentation at Cascadia

publication
image of publications layered on a wooden table

Diving deeper into seep distribution along the Cascadia Convergent Margin, USA

Was this page helpful?