The Cascadia fault will cause a strong earthquake that could have detrimental repercussions on Corvallis, Oregon, as evidenced by the recent spate of earthquakes off the coast of Oregon.

Experts believe that a significant earthquake with effects from northern California to southern British Columbia, Canada, could be caused by the Cascadia fault.

Geological evidence, tree rings, oral histories from Indigenous and First Nations people, and historical documents all point to the year 1700 as the last significant earthquake on the Cascadia fault line. According to Andrew Meigs, a geology professor at Oregon State University, little little is known about the fault's past or its potential for earthquakes.

Meigs stated that earthquakes as large as [magnitude 9] may have occurred in the past in the Cascadia subduction zone. The Corvallis fault "might conceivably produce a [magnitude 7] earthquake... The probability of an earthquake tomorrow is negligible, slightly bigger in the next 10 years, and, according to Chris Goldfinger's research, around a 37% chance of occuring in the next 50 years."

In order to safeguard residents and local communities, governments throughout the region have enacted building standards due to the likelihood of an earthquake in the future. According to Bryan Lee, the emergency manager of the Benton County Sheriff's Office, older structures, especially those made of wood, can occasionally be better equipped for earthquakes.

There is not a lot of unreinforced masonry in our buildings, according to Lee. There is a significant difference between a full collapse and a livable home. "Most ordinary wood built homes will do 'good' in earthquakes and tend to not fully collapse."

Meigs drew attention to the fact that many of the structures on the campus of Oregon State University and in places like Portland, Oregon, are made of unreinforced masonry, which is particularly susceptible to earthquake-related damage.

The number of casualties from the earthquake itself may not be very high, according to Lee. "Normal" is relative, but it will probably take years or decades to return. However, the potential mortality from the protracted disruption of services will be a serious issue. The effects of Hurricane Katrina are still being felt in some parts of New Orleans, Louisiana. Due to the substantial physical and psychological effects of being in a catastrophe zone, many people will not be able to return to their usual lives.

Both Lee and Meigs stressed the importance of being ready, both personally by having a disaster plan and supplies and institutionally by having building codes and community response plans.

“Every crisis starts and ends locally, according to Lee. The majority of the West Coast would be affected by a Cascadia Subduction Zone event, and Hawaii and Alaska might also experience tsunami waves or ocean surges. Realistically, we'll never be fully ready for something like that.