Final answer:
Oregon is most likely to experience a magnitude 9 or larger earthquake in the future because of the Cascadia subduction zone, unlike California, Nevada, or Texas. The correct answer is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The state most likely to have a magnitude 9 or larger earthquake in the next several hundred years is Oregon. This is due to the presence of the Cascadia subduction zone, which is capable of producing very large earthquakes when it ruptures. California, while also seismically active mainly due to the San Andreas Fault, is more likely to experience smaller, yet still significant earthquakes, but not typically in the magnitude 9 range. Nevada and Texas have much less seismic activity in comparison to the west coast states. The correct answer is A.