San Andreas Fault stress hits 1,000-year high, raising quake risk
Yahoo • • science
Key Points:
- New research from the University of Hawaiʻi reveals that tectonic stress along Southern California's San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems has reached or exceeded levels unseen in the past 1,000 years, indicating a critically loaded state.
- The study highlights Cajon Pass as a key area that could either block or link ruptures between the two fault systems, potentially causing a larger, multi-fault earthquake with significant damage risk to major population centers like Los Angeles and Riverside.
- Despite the high stress, scientists do not see signs of an imminent rupture but warn that the long-term seismic cycle could support large earthquakes, with surface ruptures causing severe shaking and infrastructure damage near the fault lines.
- California's position along the boundary of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, combined with over 500 active faults, makes it highly earthquake-prone, though precise earthquake prediction remains impossible.
- The state's Earthquake Early Warning system uses seismic sensors and alert technology to provide warnings via cell phones, allowing people to take protective actions seconds before strong shaking begins.