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The Problem: Seattle and Portland lie within the Puget-Willamette Lowland of western Washington and Oregon. This seismically active region overlies the Cascadia subduction zone, a source of damaging earthquakes and volcanic activity. The Lowland is also subject to landslides, depletion of groundwater, and pressure on coastal resources and nearshore habitats.

Seattle lies within the Puget-Willamette Lowland, a seismically active region overlying the Cascadia subduction zone. Photo by R. Wells, USGS.

Our Objective: Produce geologic maps and research needed for the assessment of seismic shaking hazards, landslide potential, liquefaction, groundwater resources, and hydrocarbon potential in the urban corridor.

Research Goals: 1) document structure and history of urban fault zones and basins, 2) document lowland surficial deposits, processes and history, 3) document geology of groundwater aquifers, 4) document the lowland regional tectonic framework, and 5) compile results in a uniform, digital earth science database.

Cooperators and Collaborators: Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources, the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, University of Washington, Oregon State University, and Portland State University.