The Really Big One

If you haven't read this account by the New Yorker on how an earthquake will eventually destroy a large part of the Pacific Northwest, do so. It's an incredible piece of reporting and horrifying to think about.

The Earthquake That Will Devastate Seattle - The New Yorker

"FEMA calculates that, across the region, something on the order of a million buildings—more than three thousand of them schools—will collapse or be compromised in the earthquake. So will half of all highway bridges, fifteen of the seventeen bridges spanning Portland’s two rivers, and two-thirds of railways and airports; also, one-third of all fire stations, half of all police stations, and two-thirds of all hospitals."

"Four to six minutes after the dogs start barking, the shaking will subside. For another few minutes, the region, upended, will continue to fall apart on its own. Then the wave will arrive, and the real destruction will begin."

 

d_b: RIP Seattle (eventually) | SportsJournalists.com

 

Roger that. My bad.