CSZ

CSZ is an acronym with multiple meanings in different domains; the most widely recognized is the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a major tectonic boundary off the Pacific Northwest of North America. This zone marks the interface where the Juan de Fuca Plate sinks beneath the North American Plate. It runs from northern Vancouver Island, along the coasts of Washington and Oregon, to northern California. The subduction process has produced, and is expected to produce, large megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis, with long recurrence intervals. Scientists study the CSZ using seismographs, GPS, paleoseismology, and tsunami modeling to assess hazard and preparedness. The 1700 Cascadia earthquake is a notable historical event associated with this zone, reconstructed from tsunami records around the Pacific.

Beyond geology, CSZ is used as an abbreviation in other contexts. Because it is not uniquely defined, the intended meaning depends on the field and the surrounding text. In organizational or regional planning materials, CSZ may stand for phrases like Central Services Zone or Customer Service Zone, among other local designations. In other domains, different expansions can exist. When encountering CSZ, consulting the relevant glossary or context is necessary to determine the precise meaning.

The term CSZ exemplifies how a short acronym can refer to a major natural feature and to unrelated terms in other settings, underscoring the importance of context in interpretation.