A massive earthquake might strike regions of the United States shortly, the first time in almost 300 years.

New research has looked at the potential of an earthquake larger than 8.0 magnitude striking the Pacific Northwest in the next years, and the findings are quite frightening.

Researchers at Virginia Tech published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last month.

The study found that an earthquake might occur at the Cascadia subduction zone, a 600-mile convergent plate boundary that runs from northern California to southern British Columbia.

Apparently, this portion of the United States has a 15% chance of suffering an earthquake of larger than 8.0 magnitude in the next 50 years.

According to the latest study, such a quake may cause coastal land to sink by up to 6.5 feet.

According to the US Geological Survey, one of the largest earthquakes on record in the United States was the Great Alaska Earthquake in 1964, which had a magnitude of 9.2.

Tina Dura, lead author of the study and assistant professor of geosciences in the College of Science, commented on the concerning findings: “The expansion of the coastal floodplain following a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake has not previously been quantified, and the impacts on land use could significantly increase the timeline to recovery.”

Southern Washington, northern Oregon, and northern California are among the most severely affected places.

If the disastrous earthquake occurred today, Dura and her colleagues predicted that ‘14,350 inhabitants, 22,500 buildings, and 777 kilometers of roads would fall into the post-disaster floodplain.’

The Cascadia subduction zone is part of the ‘Pacific Ring of Fire,’ which is responsible for many of the world’s greatest earthquakes and tsunamis.

By 2100, sea levels are expected to rise an additional three feet, aggravating the devastation.

Dura went on to warn that “today, and especially in 2100 as background sea levels rise, the immediate effect of earthquake-driven subsidence will be a delay in response and recovery from the earthquake due to compromised assets.” Long-term consequences may make many coastal settlements untenable.”

While America has had earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0 in recent decades, if one occurs at the Cascadia subduction zone, it will be the first since January 1700.

The study’s authors believe that we should be planning for such a catastrophic occurrence.

“Preparing for these compound hazards can minimize long-term damage, ensure resilient communities, and protect critical coastal ecosystems from permanent degradation,” the scientists concluded, according to The Guardian.