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

Live updates

1. 8d ago

   San Andreas Fault Stress at 1,000-Year High

   A study by Dr. Liliane Burkhard shows the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems have reached their highest stress levels in 1,000 years. This buildup of tectonic pressure raises the risk of a major earthquake. Researchers state the faults are critically loaded but have not predicted a specific event.

   What's confirmed:

   • The San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems have reached their highest stress levels in 1,000 years.
   • The faults are critically loaded with energy.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Seismic stress is currently concentrated in Cajon Pass.
   • Columnist David Allen suggests the public should not worry about the stress levels.
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. Earthquake pressure in Cajon Pass is new reason to stress
   2. Next ‘Big One’ along San Andreas Fault could cause $1 trillion in damage, earthquake expert warns
   confidence 90%
2. 37d ago

   Southern California Fault Stress Hits 1,000-Year High

   A physics-based study led by Dr. Liliane Burkhard indicates the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems have reached their highest stress levels in 1,000 years. This accumulation of tectonic pressure increases the risk of a major earthquake. Researchers note the faults are critically loaded with energy but are not predicting a specific event.

   What's confirmed:

   • Stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems has reached a 1,000-year high.
   • The study was led by Dr. Liliane Burkhard of the University of Hawaii and University of Bern.
   • The research was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
   • High stress levels increase the risk of a future major earthquake.
   • Scientists are not predicting a specific earthquake event.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The fault systems are primed for a joint mega-earthquake.
   • Stress levels in some segments have exceeded anything observed in the last 1,000 years.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. University of Hawaii study finds San Andreas Fault stress at 1,000-year ...
   2. Major earthquake threat in California? San Andreas, San Jacinto faults ...
   3. 1,000-Year High: California Faults Dangerously Primed to Fuse for ...
   4. California fault has 1000 years of pent-up energy
   5. California Earthquake Faults at 1,000 year Stress
   6. As Venezuela Reels, Scientists Warn California Fault Stress Is at a ...
   confidence 95%
3. 42d ago

   Southern California Faults Hit 1,000-Year Stress Peak

   Tectonic stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems has reached its highest level in 1,000 years. Research indicates pressure is building where these faults converge at Cajon Pass. This state increases the risk of a powerful earthquake in the region.

   What's confirmed:

   • Tectonic stress along the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems in Southern California is at the highest level seen in 1,000 years.
   • The University of Hawai'i at Manoa conducted the research on these stress levels.
   • Stress has built up because a major tectonic rupture has not affected the greater Los Angeles area in over 100 years.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Building pressure at Cajon Pass may cause a huge quake if set off.
   • A critical geological junction could determine if a rupture stays limited to one fault.
   • A large earthquake is imminent.
   Sources used for this update (10)

   1. San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level in 1,000 years
   2. 'Earthquake gate' stopping San Andreas disaster under highest stress in ...
   3. California's Biggest Fault Reaches a Millennium High: The San Andreas ...
   4. New report says San Andreas Fault stress at 1,000-year high
   5. California fault lines reach highest stress in 1,000 years as experts warn of mega quake risk
   6. The San Andreas Fault just hit its highest stress level in a millennium ...
   7. San Andreas And San Jacinto Faults Are Under Extreme Stress
   8. Southern San Andreas Fault Accumulates Highest Stress Level in 1,000 Years
   9. San Andreas Fault stress hits 1,000-year high, raising quake risk
   10. California Faults at Highest Stress Levels in 1,000 Years, Scientists ...
   confidence 95%
4. 45d 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.
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level in 1,000 years
   2. A Millennium of Pressure Has Been Building Under California Fault Lines ...
   3. Scientists discover an earthquake gate as California faults reach their highest stress levels in 1,000 years
   4. Big One fears erupt as San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level ...
   5. Study Finds Earthquake Fault Lines In Cajon Pass At Highest Stress ...
   6. California's San Andreas Fault Line Activity Indicates Major Earthquake ...
   confidence 95%
5. 48d 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.
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. Southern California's San Andreas Fault is at its highest stress level ...
   2. San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level in the last 1,000 years ...
   3. Dangerous Fault Lines in California at Highest Pressure in 1,000 Years, Scientists Warn
   4. Scientists discover an earthquake gate as California faults reach their highest stress levels in 1,000 years
   5. 'Earthquake Gate' May Be Only Thing to Block the Big One
   6. CA Earthquake Gate Could Trigger Next Major Quake Along 2 Faults
   7. A Millennium of Pressure Has Been Building Under California Fault Lines. What Does That Mean for Earthquake Risk?
   8. Stress on San Andreas Fault reaches highest levels in 1,000 years as scientists await next ‘major rupture’
   9. San Bernardino County history: San Andreas Fault – Welcome to San Bernardino County
   10. San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level in the last 1,000 years, new study suggests
   11. Stress on San Andreas Fault reaches highest levels in 1,000 years as ...
   12. The ‘earthquake gate’ stopping a San Andreas disaster is under its highest stress in 1,000 years
   confidence 90%
6. 49d 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.
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. San Andreas Fault stress hits 1,000-year high, raising quake risk
   2. San Andreas Fault hits highest stress level in 1,000 years, University ...
   3. San Andreas Fault reaches highest stress level in 1,000 years
   4. Why the stress building on California’s faults could result in a major quake
   5. 'The system is critically stressed': San Andreas and San Jacinto faults scarily close to major earthquake, study finds
   6. California’s tectonic systems at highest levels of stress in 1,000 years – study
   7. Chance of mega earthquake hitting California now at a 'historic high', experts warn
   8. Southern California faults face highest tectonic stress levels in 1,000 ...
   9. One of America's most dangerous fault lines reaches highest stress levels in 1,000 years, study finds
   10. San Andreas fault reaches highest stress level in 1,000 years
   11. San Andreas fault hits dangerous 1,000-year high, study says | Fox Weather
   12. CSUB professor urges Kern County to plan ahead and follow drop, cover and hold on guidance
   confidence 95%