Scientists are cautioning that certain regions of the U.S. face a significant threat of a catastrophic “mega tsunami” — and it may occur within our lifetimes.

The concern revolves around the Cascadia subduction zone, an extensive fault line that extends from Northern California to Vancouver Island. Specialists indicate that a substantial earthquake in this area could result in land subsiding by as much as 6½ feet and initiate a tsunami powerful enough to obliterate entire coastal communities.

Researchers from Virginia Tech have recently released findings indicating that this land subsidence could greatly enlarge flood zones, hindering recovery efforts and jeopardizing thousands of lives. “The effects on land use could considerably prolong the recovery timeline,” stated study author Tina Dura.

The statistics are alarming: there exists a 15% probability of a magnitude 8.0 or greater earthquake occurring along Cascadia within the next 50 years.