355 Harris Ave.
The goal of this course is to understand the Cascadia fault: its geologic roots, its scale, its mechanics and why so many geologists believe its next strike is overdue. Why is this seemingly dormant fault so dangerous? To understand the Cascadia fault, we first learn principles of geologic faults, seismic waves and plate tectonics.
The seismic waves generated by earthquakes provide information to understand the interior of the earth. With few exceptions, faults are rooted in tectonic causes. Therefore, we’ll study the relationship of Pacific plate motion through geologic time to west coast faults. We’ll learn the timeline of an earthquake: fault rupture, seismic wave transmission and then surface destruction. Because Washington State is teeming with faults of varying size and origin, we survey a variety of faults in the PNW to understand their causes, motion, linkages and risk. We’ll conclude with implications for the next Cascadia earthquake.
Instructor: Jim Hoppie
Jim Hoppie received a M.S. in Geology from the University of Kansas. He spent more than 33 years as an oil-exploration geophysicist employed by a large, multinational corporation. Upon retirement and relocation to Bellingham, he and his wife have become avid hikers in the North Cascades.
