A significant earthquake is looming over California, where persistent seismic activities have been observed at a segment of the San Andreas Fault. The ground beneath us stirs, with particular unrest occurring in the Parkfield Section. Despite this, scientists fear that such tremors could set off a considerable quake.
Researchers have noted the fault lines continuously breaking and fusing underground, leading to ongoing seismic activities. The Parkfield Section, lying in central California, tends to shake every 22 years, with a fierce quake last hitting in 2004. Currently, not the entire fault is active, but scientists remain vigilant.
Study in 'Frontiers in Earth Science' Highlights Potential for American Earthquake
Source: aajtak
The recent study published in
indicates that an earthquake could strike America at any time, potentially differing from the 2004 quake's epicenter. Director Luca Malanini of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology admits that predicting the timing of earthquakes remains a challenge for scientists; they can only await its occurrence.
Why Does the San Andreas Become an Earthquake Epicenter?
The San Andreas Fault lies between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. To the south of Parkfield, the fault is locked, meaning no movement occurs between the plates. However, movement is frequent to the north, with an annual shift of about an inch and a half. Parkfield marks the midpoint between these plates.
Increased Activity in San Andreas May Presage Quake Equal to 6 or More in Magnitude
Whenever there's substantial unrest in the San Andreas, earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or more have occurred, causing significant loss of life and property. Malanini's team is actively studying to accumulate as precise information as possible to anticipate the earthquake's exact timing and potentially inform the public of possible dates.
2004 Quake Preceded by Six Weeks of Underground Movement
Six weeks of underground movement preceded the Parkfield Section's 2004 earthquake. Hence, there's speculation that a similar precursor could be indicative of an impending quake today. Currently, only low-intensity tremors are felt, but should their magnitude increase, it could help Malanini's team determine when the quake may occur.
San Andreas's Susceptibility to Newly Forming Fissures Under Investigation
Malanini and his team are investigating whether new fissures are emerging around the Parkfield Section. Should any rifts extend to lengths of one and a half kilometers and several hundred feet deep, the likelihood of an earthquake significantly increases. Typically, Parkfield experiences such intense seismic activity every 22 years.
