I'm assuming your source was the new yorker article since you mention the "I-5 line". You should read the reddit AMA from earthquake experts responding to the

I'm assuming your source was the new yorker article since you mention the "I-5 line". You should read the reddit AMA from earthquake experts responding to the article as it is quite over-exaggerated [1]. Here's a quote from it "The 100ft waves are even rare in great earthquakes, more often the waves are 10 to 30 feet, and they will not be nearly as big in the Puget Sound. So shaking, not waves, are the threat to the Puget Sound from coastal earthquakes. - John" [1]: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/3da1mh/we_are_earthquake_experts_ask_us_anything_about https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/3da1mh/we_are_earthqu...