California’s tectonic systems at highest levels of stress in 1,000 years – study
Summary
Scientists report that California’s San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems are under the highest stress seen in 1,000 years. This increase in stress raises the chance of a large earthquake that could affect southern California.Key Facts
- The San Andreas and San Jacinto faults in Southern California have built up very high tectonic stress.
- Stress levels on these faults are at or above the highest in the last 1,000 years.
- Cajon Pass connects the two faults and may either stop or allow a large earthquake to spread across both.
- It has been more than 160 years since a major earthquake hit this area.
- Scientists used a computer model and 1,000 years of earthquake history to study current stress levels.
- The model shows that a large earthquake could involve both fault systems at the same time.
- The study does not predict when an earthquake will happen but helps understand the risks.
- The last big earthquake in southern California was the 1994 Northridge quake, which caused major damage and deaths.
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