2 New Seattle-Area Faults Found That Could Cause 6.5-Magnitude Quakes

A federal scientist has discovered two new faults under Puget Sound and said they are capable of generating earthquakes of magnitude 6.5 or greater in the Seattle area. And a previously known fault that runs under Seattle is moving faster than scientists had estimated, said Samuel Johnson, a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Colorado. That means the fault could be more dangerous than previously believed.

Johnson said the new findings mean a higher probability of a major earthquake hitting the region in the next 50 years. “I think it increases the risk, maybe significantly,” he said.