Journal
The
NEWS | Court upholds CAO [3] EDUCATION | State fined over school ruling [5] ARTS | Check out what is hot this summer for reading [9]
WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2015 VOL. 108, NO. 33 75¢
Fun at the fair
Above: Contributed photo / Aaron Shephard
Fairgoers enjoy this year’s carnival, which included a roller coaster.
Below staff photos / Kat Sherman and Cali Bagby
Left: Horse and rider navigate during the races at the arena. Right: Fair entries included blossoming flowers, huge vegetables, vibrant paintings and artistic photography. To see more photos of the fair go to page 8 of this edition and visit www. sanjuanjournal.com.
Tsunami risk? By Constance See Special to the Journal
Is the Pacific Northwest at risk of a megaquake, magnitude 9.0 or greater or a devastating tsunami like Japan experienced in 2011? More than 15,000 died, 2,000 are still unaccounted for and thousands more were injured in that event. Last month author Kathryn Schulz penned a New Yorker article about “The Big One.” Based on recently discovered tree ring research in the Pacific Northwest, and a collection of oral histories, her material focused on the danger of the eerily quiet Cascadia subduction zone, running offshore from Mendocino, Calif., north to Vancouver Island. It last erupted 315 years ago, resulting in a new western U.S. coastline. Schulz went so far as to suggest that when the Cascadia zone does awaken, it will result in huge tsunami waves, and everyone along the Interstate 5 corridor will be “toast.” Paul Bodin and Bill Steele are seismologists at the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network based at the University of Washington Seismology Lab. Utilizing more than 300 seismic monitors, PNSN keeps a careful eye on their territory, the states of Washington and Oregon, while sharing information with scientists around the globe. On July 31, Steele was interviewed on NBC Seattle’s “New Day Northwest” program stating a major earthquake and tsunami are coming to the Pacific Northwest. His forecast window ranged from tomorrow to 50 years from now. Steele said within that time period, Washington state has a 15 percent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9. Southern Oregon’s risk he graded higher at 25 percent. On that same show, Steele suggested everyone prepare with storage food, medicine and water for at least two weeks, and at-risk communities should investigate building vertical evacuation towers. When interviewed by the Islands’ Sounder, Steele’s associate Bodin was less dramatic. He found the New Yorker article to be “overblown” because “most of our populated areas are outside of the rupture zone.” “Cascadia is like a stuck win-
dow,” he said. “You wonder whether it’s painted shut. I keep a close eye on it. Any earthquake out there would really get our attention. We would be doing better if we had more offshore monitoring equipment.” Last December, Congress approved a $5 million increase in spending to upgrade the Shake Alert System, a prototype alert program using a series of 300 seismic monitors plus the software and hardware needed to process their data. When finished, it’s expected to cost about $30 million and require an additional $16 annually to maintain. “When this upgrade is complete, we should have information in seconds, not minutes,” Bodin said. The majority of seismic monitors he watches are on land, but a few are stationed off the coast of Oregon at the Hydrate Ridge, 60 miles away, and at the Axial Seamount Volcano, 300 miles west of Cannon Beach. Last fall, geologists Bill Chadwick and Scott Nooner announced a pending Axial eruption. When it spewed lava in April, their predictions were confirmed. A boatload of scientists will join See RISK, Page 4
Real Estate in the
San Juan Islands August 2015
Published the third Wednesday of each month by the Journal of the San Juan Islands, Islands’ Sounder and Islands’ Weekly
Staff photo
PO Box 171 Eastsound, WA 98245 360.376.2145 www.orcasislandrealty.com
Meadow Retreat
Waterfront Home with Spectacular Island Views
Spring Point home with coveted private deep-water dock. Explore the waterfront with steps to the low-bank beach & cove. Treasured South-facing views of Pole Pass, Crane Island & San Juan Channel. Over 2400+/- sq. ft of comfortable living space with multiple combinations of view rooms for guests. Entryway, living room & kitchen on the main floor with roomy decks for dining & relaxing. Detached garage & loft. Steps to your beach! Community waterfront & dock use.
Graciously designed 3 bedroom, 2 bath contemporary home features exquisite materials with large windows capturing views to the sound and a preserved meadow and pond.The main structure includes the main floor master, great room with open plan kitchen, dining, office or guest space, alder ceilings, white oak floors. The two bedroom guest wing is connected with a deck/patio fireplace courtyard.
MLS# 813703
MLS# 813610
$1,225,000
Wendy Thomas Kathryn Sherman photo
Lisa Botiller Wolford
$949,000
Mary Clure
Locally Owned and Operated
Victoria Shaner
Asya Eberle
Real Estate in the San Juan Islands
See inside for July’s real estate sales, listings and statistics.