Free TSUNAMI STORM by David Capps Page A

Cascadia Fault ruptures only every 400 to 700 years. The last time was only 300 years ago. Nothing’s going to happen in our lifetime, so save your time and stop worrying. Go home.”
    “Everyone on the coast knows this is a threat,” Willa replied, facing Frank. “We need to know exactly how big that threat is and exactly what could happen.”
    “Could happen, but won’t,” Frank said.
    “You don’t know that,” Willa shot back.
    “You don’t know that it will,” Frank retorted.
    Willa and Frank stood nose to nose, fuming at one another.
    “Would it hurt to take a look?” Jason said calmly. Willa and Frank turned their angry expressions on Jason. “Come on,” Jason cajoled, “is a ten minute look going to kill anyone?”
    Willa softened her expression and looked around. “We need to see what Jason has.” She walked around Jason and into the theater. Frank simply scoffed, turned and walked away. Some of the people followed Willa into the movie theater and some turned away and went home.
    Jason waved Willa over toward him. “What Frank said is the popular notion of the time between major earthquakes of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, but if you go back over the last ten thousand years and look at the core samples from the most recent research, you’ll find there have been forty-one major earthquakes during that time. That averages out to two hundred thirty nine point nine years in between earthquakes. We’re currently at three hundred and thirteen years since the last major event, so we’re actually overdue for a major quake.”
    “So there really is some scientific basis for what you are doing.” Willa replied. “Not just the un-natural pattern you see?”
    “There is,” Jason said, “I just don’t want to turn this into a fear mongering session. I’d rather have people feel confident in their preparations than frozen in fear.”
    “Okay,” Willa said, realizing the danger Dolphin Beach faced. Now, she was more nervous than before. She just hoped she could get through this presentation without her feelings locking up inside of her and freezing her into inaction. Willa waited as Jason made some last-minute adjustments to his equipment. When he was ready, he looked at her and nodded. Willa stepped to the center of the small stage at the front of the theater.
    “Thank you for attending this presentation,” Willa began. “I know this is a contentious issue.” She looked around. To her surprise the theater was mostly full. “Jason Roberts is from the California Institute of Technology and is an expert on the Cascadia Subduction Zone that runs along the Pacific Northwest coastline. He is also an expert on buildings, their structure, and what happens to buildings during an earthquake. Will you please welcome Jason Roberts?”
    The applause was sparse and unenthusiastic. Jason calmly walked to the center of the stage and pressed a button on his remote. An image of Dolphin Beach appeared on the screen, viewed from the ocean. “During a rupture of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, this is what will happen to Dolphin Beach.”

CHAPTER 12
    Office of Covert Operations, the Pentagon
    Vice Admiral Billingsly watched Rod Schneider stride quickly into his office and toss a report on the desk.
    “We just received these images at the National Reconnaissance Office,” Schneider said. “Since it’s within your bailiwick, I thought you should see it right away.”
    Billingsly studied Schneider’s face as he slowly took the report and opened it. From Schneider’s expression, this was something serious. As Billingsly read the report and examined the images, he sat up straighter in his chair. “When did this happen?”
    “Within the last 48 hours,” Schneider replied.
    “Dammit,” Billingsly said forcefully. “This is right next to their HAARP facility.”
    “Yep,” Schneider replied. “That’s why I figured you needed to know right away.”
    “Any idea how big it’s going to be?”
    “Not yet.