A Giant Quake Just Shook Russia, Here's Why The US Should Pay Attention

Is Russian Quake A Wakeup Call For US?

A monster 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near the coast of eastern Russia could hold valuable lessons and warning signs for a similarly strong quake expected to one day hit the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

“At that magnitude, we assume it’s going to be bad," said seismologist and director of the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center Diego Melgar. "There’s no ifs, ands, or buts.”

Could This Happen in the U.S.?

To put it plainly: Yes. In fact, a potentially identical scenario is expected to play out near the West Coast at some point in the future.

Melgar warned that a Cascadia Subduction Zone quake could bring severe shaking and a deadly tsunami to coastal communities in Washington, Oregon, Northern California, and British Columbia. “This is a good time to remind people that that’s what it could look like here,” he said, explaining why scientists in the U.S. are still watching this Russian quake closely. (That doesn't necessarily mean the Northwest’s next one is imminent. It may still be decades or centuries away.)

(MORE: Latest Updates As Tsunami Fears Ease)

Thankfully, the tsunami triggered near Russia turned out to be moderate. But the event served as a full-scale test of our global warning systems, and according to Melgar, they worked.

Melgar expects multiple aftershocks near Russia in the coming days, which rarely cause tragedies but contribute to scientific understanding. This could help experts calibrate theories of earthquake “clusters” and intervals where the crust releases energy irregularly. Field teams will also spend months conducting post-tsunami surveys in remote Russia to collect inundation and seismic data, which Melgar will use to validate and refine his earthquake–tsunami models.

(MORE: Watch As Sea Lions Head For Water Amid Earthquake)

So, What Can You Do?

For those wondering whether they should be worried, Melgar offers clarity: If you live in a tsunami hazard zone, take events like this seriously. "Tsunamis are terrifying,” Melgar admits, and so they demand immediate action when warned. The rapid, coordinated warnings we saw play out following the Russian quake ensured no unexpected catastrophe for the United States coast.

Melgar concluded on a hopeful note: “Take this as an example of what science and technology can do for you." he explained. "We have sensor networks all over the place. There are scientists and engineers working this problem. And so we're looking at a future where these warnings are routine.” In time, he envisions tsunami response becoming as familiar and trusted as weather alerts in Tornado Alley. For now, “knowledge is power, and we know so much.”

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.