SoCal Faults Reach 1,000-Year Stress Peak, Elevating Large-Earthquake Risk
A new computer-model study using about 1,000 years of geological data finds that stress on Southern California's San Andreas and San Jacinto faults has reached its highest levels in a millennium, with the Cajon Pass potentially allowing the two faults to rupture together and produce a far larger quake; while the timing cannot be predicted, the results can improve earthquake hazard assessments, infrastructure planning, building codes, and preparedness—even extrapolating the method to other regions.