Last week, near Bombay Beach, California, there were about 200 earthquakes known as the swarm. For a multiple of September 26, the threat of magnitude 7 earthquakes in the region that includes the San Andreas Fault was exactly 1 in 100, although it has dropped slightly since then.
Finding a new fault
And now, by a strange coincidence, scientists have discovered a new fault in the same region using radar and seismic methods. Researchers have named it the Salton Ridge, and while they cannot yet provide any precise information as to whether this rift is the area of greatest danger, scientists are almost certain that it passes where earthquakes have recently been recorded.
The location of the fault in the eastern Salton Sea makes tomography very difficult. Previously, no small seismological events associated with it were discovered, therefore, the fault has not yet been known. This was stated by researcher Nick Driscoll, a geologist at the University of California at San Diego.
How two faults interact
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Information about the find was published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. The authors emphasize that the fault is incredibly close to the southern part of San Andreas. In fact, this new rift may be taking on some of the accumulating tension in the region, which means that it distracts it from San Andreas, delaying the emergence of new earthquakes.
It is because of this risk that there is always a high level of concern about activity around the San Andreas Fault. Therefore, any research related to it gets a lot of attention. In the future, some or all of the major fault line is expected to move with disastrous consequences, especially for nearby Los Angeles.
Since earthquakes usually (but not always) run along fault lines, identifying new ones is vital for those who live in their immediate vicinity. This new study highlights how much information scientists still don't know about the San Andreas Complex Fault.
Long rest
It is alarming that the San Andreas Fault section, which is located near the Salton Sea, has remained dormant since the 17th century. However, recent massive earthquakes and the discovery of a new fault section close to it do not necessarily indicate that the next such event will have to wait just as long.
True, the "swarm" temporarily increased the likelihood of a strong earthquake in this region, but now that scientists know that there is another fault here, perhaps some "big event" will occur closer to it.
Again, this region is suspected to be suffering from what are known as double fault quakes, where stress relief in one could cause disaster in place of the other. This most likely happened in 1812 when the San Joseinto Fault began to increase in size, leading to the San Andreas movement. Could this small rift, discovered in the future, lead to the expansion of San Andreas?
What to look for
In general, there is still a lot to learn. Scientists only recently figured out that Luga causes tens of thousands of incredibly shallow earthquakes within the San Andreas Fault every year. With each passing day, it is becoming more likely that one day the movement of this rift will lead to disaster.
The best plan of action is to strengthen the infrastructure of Los Angeles and San Francisco, taking into account the exploration of the mysteries of San Andreas. Now seismologists have discovered a new fault that also needs to be monitored.
Anna Pismenna
