The ‘earthquake gate’ stopping a San Andreas disaster is under its highest stress in 1,000 years

Live updates

1. 2h ago

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

   Southern California's major fault systems are under the highest geological stress seen in 1,000 years. A critical earthquake gate between the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults is currently stressed. This condition creates a risk that a future rupture could spread across both systems.

   What's confirmed:

   • The San Andreas and San Jacinto faults are under more geological stress than at any point in the past 1,000 years.
   • A geological junction known as an earthquake gate exists between the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults.
   • The stress levels in Southern California's major fault system are at a millennium high.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • It has been over 100 years since a major tectonic rupture affected the greater Los Angeles area.
   confidence 90%
2. 3d ago

   California Faults Reach Highest Stress Levels in 1,000 Years

   Tectonic stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems has hit a millennium high. Researchers identified the Cajon Pass as an earthquake gate that may determine if a future rupture spreads across both faults. These conditions mirror those that preceded some of the region's largest historical earthquakes.

   What's confirmed:

   • Tectonic stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems is at its highest level in 1,000 years.
   • The Cajon Pass acts as an earthquake gate where the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults meet.
   • Current stress levels in some sections have already surpassed the 1,000-year peak.
   • Current conditions resemble those that preceded some of the largest historical earthquakes in the region.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • Record stress could trigger a major earthquake around Los Angeles.
   • A San Andreas fault earthquake could be more widespread and damaging than previously thought.
   confidence 90%