<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2TdzVu_0wDiOt1p00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2TdzVu_0wDiOt1p00" width="980" height="722" ><figcaption>Lance Tormey</figcaption></figure><p>While the coastal shores of Washington State are spared the fury of hurricanes, the threat of a major earthquake looms ominously over its nearly 2,000 public schools.</p><h2>SCHOOLS LOCATED IN SOME DANGEROUS AREAS FOR QUAKES</h2><p>Many of these educational facilities are situated in areas that could suffer catastrophic damage if a significant quake were to strike, especially along the notorious Cascadia subduction zone—one of the most active fault lines in the region.</p><h2>THAT'S A LOT OF SCHOOLS IN DANGER IN WA</h2><p>A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) underscored the gravity of the situation, indicating that a substantial earthquake along the Cascadia fault line could affect as many as 2,000 schools across the state. Alarmingly, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources also revealed that approximately 70% of K-12 schools are located in designated high seismic risk zones.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0tLCuy_0wDiOt1p00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0tLCuy_0wDiOt1p00" width="1250" height="820" ><figcaption>Justin Sullivan/Getty Images</figcaption></figure><h2>OTHER STATES ARE MORE PREPARED THAN WA?</h2><p>In contrast to Washington's lackadaisical approach to seismic safety, neighboring states like California, Oregon, and Utah have proactively instituted measures over the past decade to harden school infrastructures against the likelihood of significant ground shaking. These states have taken steps to assess and improve school buildings, implement emergency response plans, and educate students on earthquake preparedness.</p><h2>THE BIG QUAKE IS COMING</h2><p>As Western Washington residents are all too aware, the potential for an earthquake in the region is not just theoretical—it’s a matter of when, not if. But while other states have fortified their educational institutions, Washington has yet to establish a legal requirement mandating schools to evaluate the structural integrity of their facilities against seismic threats.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1K2atX_0wDiOt1p00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1K2atX_0wDiOt1p00" width="1250" height="834" ><figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption></figure><h2>STATE OFFICIALS ARE BEHIND IN THE RESEARCH</h2><p>Efforts to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of school buildings have been in discussion since 2019; however, the implementation of such plans has seen little progress. As a result, many parents and educators remain anxious about the safety of their children in the event of a disaster.</p><h2>25 True Crime Locations: What Do They Look Like Today?</h2><p>Below, find out where 25 of the most infamous crimes in history took place — and what the locations are used for today. (If they've been left standing.)</p><h2>LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?</h2><p>Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.</p><h2>LOOK: 20 American foods that raise eyebrows outside of the US</h2><p><a href="https://stacker.com/food-drink/20-american-foods-raise-eyebrows-outside-us">Stac</a><a href="https://stacker.com/food-drink/20-american-foods-raise-eyebrows-outside-us">﻿</a><a href="https://stacker.com/food-drink/20-american-foods-raise-eyebrows-outside-us">ker</a> compiled a list of 20 unusual and uniquely American foods that might raise eyebrows outside the U.S.</p><h2>LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore</h2><p>The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. <a href="https://stacker.com/stories/2045/things-year-you-were-born-dont-exist-anymore">See how many things on this list</a> trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.</p></div></body>

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Earthquake Threat Poses Risk to 2,000 Schools in Washington State

While the coastal shores of Washington State are spared the fury of hurricanes, the threat of a major earthquake looms ominously over its nearly 2,000 public schools. SCHOOLS LOCATED IN SOME DANGEROUS AREAS FOR QUAKES. Many of these educational facilities are situated in areas that could suffer catastrophic damage if...