A 3.2-magnitude earthquake rattled eastern King County, WA at 12:07 p.m. on Thursday. Just hours earlier, Bremerton experienced a 2.9-magnitude quake. Thankfully, there were no injuries or damage reported, though concerns remain about the preparedness of buildings in the region for future major earthquakes.
On Thursday afternoon, eastern King County, Washington, experienced a 3.2-magnitude earthquake at approximately 12:07 p.m. The tremor originated 4.3 miles east-northeast of Fall City at a depth of around 10.43 miles. While residents reported feeling the earthquake, which lasted about two seconds, there were no injuries or damage reported in the area.
This earthquake followed a 2.9-magnitude quake that struck Bremerton earlier on the same day at 5:00 a.m. Although this initial tremor was initially recorded at a 3.1 magnitude, it was subsequently downgraded after a federal assessment.
While there are currently no reports of structural damage from the recent quakes, experts suggest that many buildings across western Washington, including Seattle, are inadequately prepared for a major earthquake. Studies indicate that the region’s location above the Cascadia Subduction Zone presents significant risks for a substantial earthquake and tsunami, which could occur unpredictably.
The 24th anniversary of the 2001 Nisqually earthquake is approaching this Friday, an event that resulted in hundreds of injuries and substantial damages estimated between $1 to $4 billion across Puget Sound.
In summary, a 3.2-magnitude earthquake struck eastern King County, following a similar quake in Bremerton. No injuries were reported, yet concerns remain regarding the readiness of local infrastructure for future seismic events. The region’s vulnerability to significant earthquakes necessitates ongoing monitoring and preparedness efforts, especially as the anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake approaches.
Original Source: www.fox13seattle.com
