Researchers find why San Andreas fault hasn’t caused a big earthquake in L.A. — yet
Story by Kasha Patel • Yesterday 11:01 AM
San Andreas Fault
The southern San Andreas fault in California is in a seismic drought, going more than 300 years without a major earthquake. New research shows the lack of seismic activity may be due to the drying of the nearby Salton Sea and provides clues on future potential earthquake triggers, including projects aimed to refill the body of water.
One of the largest faults in the world, the 800-mile-long San Andreas marks the meeting of the North American and Pacific plates in western California. The fault has three sections, but the southern section from the Salton Sea to Parkfield, Calif., has been historically the quietest — and that’s not a positive. The pent-up energy, when released, could be catastrophic to nearby populated cities.
“This fault poses the largest seismic hazard in all of California,” said Ryley Hill, lead author and PhD candidate at San Diego State University. “The southern San Andreas fault is a locked section, and when this fault ruptures … it would cause significant damage to the Los Angeles metropolitan area.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/researchers-find-why-san-andreas-fault-hasn-t-caused-a-big-earthquake-in-l-a-yet/ar-AA1cfsHq?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=23a55a58776e4222889c9b03aa8ec7d0&ei=18