A powerful earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the United States, in one of the most geologically active and monitored areas on the planet. The 5.8 magnitude quake was detected by seismographs at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and hit the marine area off the coast of Oregon.
The seismic event occurred at 12:53 Italian time, or 4:53 a.m. on the northwest coast of the United States. According to data collected by experts, the hypocenter was located approximately 9 kilometers below the ocean floor.
Along these geological structures, movements occur through lateral sliding of rock masses, frequently triggering shallow earthquakes like the one recorded in recent hours.
The shallow depth of the earthquake, only 9 kilometers below the seabed, confirms its shallow nature and explains why it was clearly detected by seismic monitoring instruments.
The precedent of the great earthquake of 1700
Researchers note that the entire region is part of the Cascadia subduction zone, a gigantic geological structure nearly a thousand kilometers long, considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
