Historic stress on California's San Andreas and San Jacinto faults raises quake risk
TL;DR Summary
Scientists say stress on California's southern San Andreas and San Jacinto faults is at its highest level in 1,000 years, increasing the likelihood of a large, cross-fault quake. A rupture crossing both faults could be far more destructive for Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and the Coachella Valley. The Cajon Pass acts as an “earthquake gate” that could determine whether ruptures stay on one fault or jump to both. There is no prediction of when such an event might happen, but modern building codes help mitigate damage.
- Chance of mega earthquake hitting California now at a 'historic high', experts warn BBC Science Focus Magazine
- One of America's most dangerous fault lines reaches highest stress levels in 1,000 years, study finds FOX Weather
- California’s tectonic systems at highest levels of stress in 1,000 years – study The Guardian
- 'The system is critically stressed': San Andreas and San Jacinto faults scarily close to major earthquake, study finds Live Science
- Why the stress building on California’s faults could result in a major quake The Washington Post
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