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What would have been the impact of a major eruption of the California or Cascadia faults during the Cold War Era? Could it lead to a major recession in Japan and the United States or possibly even give Europe and the Soviets a boost? What if both plates and/or some volcanoes even erupted in close proximity to each other, as recent studies indicate may happen?

There are some major repercussions I can see from an earthquake in either location.

A California earthquake would hit one of the largest economies in the world. Trans-Pacific trade would be significantly impacted depending on the condition of the ports and airports in the region. Space launches out of Vandenberg would be impacted. Commercial and military aerospace production at McDonnell-Douglas could be set back as well. There could be damage to nuclear power stations throughout the state, especially in cases where fault lines and building errors haven't been discovered (Diablo Canyon Unit 2 had its seismic supports installed backwards). Energy and fuel shortages could also occur along the West Coast if the Pacific DC Intertie and petroleum refineries are disrupted, especially in Oregon. If it's prior to the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill or if that's butterflied there would also be offshore drilling.

A Cascadia earthquake would hit Oregon and Washington. Prior to the 1980s they enjoyed some of the lowest energy prices in the world, so heavy industry flocked to the area. In addition to Hanford Site, Boeing, and Microsoft, the region was also a major producer of electronics and aluminum. Oregon's Trojan Nuclear Power Plant might be operating, and it was discovered to have major construction errors and proximity to a previously unknown fault after a few years of operation.

Any input on this?
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