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[CrazyDude]

A concerning new study identified significant earthquake and tsunami risks associated with seven major faults off the coast of Southern California.

The recent study suggests these vertical fault zones have displaced the sea floor, upping the risk of 7.9 to 8.0 earthquakes and tsunami waves that could damage cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego, the American Geophysical Union reported.

"We're dealing with continental collision," said geologist Mark Legg of Legg Geophysical in Huntington Beach, Calif., in reference to the cause of the offshore danger. "That's fundamental. That's why we have this mess of a complicated logjam."

The "logjam" is created by blocks of the Earth's crust involved in a "tectonic battle" between the North American tectonic plate and the Pacific plate. The blocks get moved around and squeezed together as the Pacific plate slides away from California.

The researchers combined seafloor and digital seismic data to determine how much the faults have slipped over time whether it was causing the seafloor to pucker upwards. The data confirmed both upward and sideways movement of the seafloor along the Santa Cruz-Catalina Ridge Fault. Regions around the Ferrelo Fault zone showed signs of thrust faulting, which is an upward movement on one side of the fault. This suggests the blocks of crust are being compressed and sliding horizontally in what was described as "transpression." The plate movement is believed to be building up seismic stress on the San Andreas, Santa Cruz-Catalina Ridge, and Ferrelo Faults.

"Such large faults could even have the potential of a magnitude 8 quake," said geologist Christopher Sorlien of the University of California at Santa Barbara, who is not a co-author on the new paper. "This continental shelf off California is not like other continental shelves - like in the Eastern U.S."

http://www.hngn.com/articles/97098/20150531/tsunami-risk-california-identified-new-seafloor-study.htm

 

[HK-47]

We need the Rock in position.

 

[weekend_warrior]

This sounds familiar.

 

[wenis]

So how long will these news stories last? Till San Andreas is out of theaters? Post Home Video release?

 

[Prez]

That would be a huge disaster, hope it's not likely to happen.

 

[torre_avenue]

Why does this feel like the intro to all big disaster movies, where some guy talks about some sign that points to a big cataclysm but people ignore him?

 

[redhood56]

Why didn't we listen to Paul Giamatti?!

 

[yongeandcollege]

It's a matter of time. Same with Chile. Maybe we'll see the "big one" in our lives, maybe not. Either way Californians won't care with their amazing climate, good looking people and great food. Life is short.

 

[LakeEarth]

But what will we do the day after tomorrow?

 

[elrechazado]

But what will we do the day after tomorrow?

Go on a mission to the core.

 

[perfectchaos007]

But what will we do the day after tomorrow?

That was so 2000 and late. San Andreas is the new comparison. San Francisco is fucked

 

[Himynameischris]

Thank you Malibu Mountains

I hope.

 

[BakedPigeon]

Why does this feel like the intro to all big disaster movies, where some guy talks about some sign that points to a big cataclysm but people ignore him?

Damnit, your right..... We all screwed.

 

[Rhomega Beta]

Why does this feel like the intro to all big disaster movies, where some guy talks about some sign that points to a big cataclysm but people ignore him?

Or real life, like how a guy tried to warn about the Space Shuttle Challenger and the O-ring that lead to its destruction, or that guy who tried to warn us about the Nazis.

 

[jerry1594]

Nothing we can do about this. Gl Socal

 

[CrazyDude]

Nothing we can do about this. Gl Socal

We might as well nuke them now, no need to lengthen their suffering.

 

[Savitar]

I've been hearing about the doom of California for so long now. If I lived for another thirty years I'll be absolutely sick of hearing about it.

Unless it really does collapse into the sea.

Maybe if California had more guns the sea would not attack....quick call the politicians.

 

[friskykillface]

of course it happens when my family plans on moving to san diego in the near future

first the drought, now this

 

[Saucycarpdog]

This is why you should be careful what you wish for California.

 

[IdreamofHIME]

Can Barbara Streisand water her grass now?

 

[- J - D -]

I was thinking of moving to Colorado anyway.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

They could use the water.