San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level in 1,000 years, study say

Live updates

1. 7h ago

   Southern California Faults Reach 1,000-Year Stress Peak

   Research from the University of Hawaiî at Mânoa shows tectonic stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults is at its highest level in 1,000 years. Current conditions mirror those preceding some of the region's largest historical earthquakes. This puts the area in a critically loaded state.

   What's confirmed:

   • Tectonic stress along the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems has reached or exceeded the highest levels seen in the past 1,000 years.
   • The Cajon Pass serves as an earthquake gate between the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults.
   • The study was led by Earth scientists at the University of Hawaiî at Mânoa and published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The region is in a critically loaded state.
   • The high stress levels could lead to a major earthquake affecting Los Angeles and millions of people.
   confidence 95%
2. 3d ago

   San Andreas and San Jacinto Faults Reach 1,000-Year Stress High

   Tectonic stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults has reached its highest level in a millennium. Scientists describe these levels as unprecedented. This high pressure could lead to a major earthquake affecting Los Angeles and millions of people.

   What's confirmed:

   • The San Andreas Fault has reached its highest stress level in 1,000 years.
   • The San Jacinto Fault also has a high stress point.
   • Stress levels on these fault lines have reached unprecedented levels.
   • The high stress could trigger a major earthquake around Los Angeles.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • An earthquake gate may be the only thing blocking a major disaster.
   • The earthquake gate could trigger the next major quake along two faults.
   confidence 90%
3. 4d ago

   San Andreas and San Jacinto Faults Hit 1,000-Year Stress High

   A University of Hawaii at Manoa study reports that tectonic stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems has reached its highest levels in a millennium. Some sections have already surpassed these levels, leaving the system critically stressed. While a large earthquake is not necessarily imminent, current conditions could allow for a larger rupture scenario than seen in most of the last 1,000 years.

   What's confirmed:

   • The San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems have reached their highest tectonic stress levels in 1,000 years.
   • Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa conducted the study.
   • Some sections of these fault systems have already surpassed the 1,000-year stress levels.
   • The fault systems are currently in a critically loaded state after more than 160 years without a major rupture on several interconnected segments.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The chance of a mega earthquake hitting California is now at a historic high.
   • A critical junction where two fault systems meet is accumulating stress 50 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
   confidence 95%