Earth is tearing apart beneath the Pacific Northwest

Scientists have discovered that the Cascadia subduction zone beneath the Pacific Northwest is actively breaking apart into pieces, offering rare insight into how these massive tectonic systems die. Using seismic imaging, researchers found that the Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates are fragmenting as they're forced beneath the North American plate, a process that occurs gradually rather than all at once. This discovery could help explain ancient plate fragments, volcanic activity, and inform understanding of future earthquake risks in the region.