Posted on 07/09/2009 7:08:27 PM PDT by TaraP
LOS ANGELES – Scientists have detected a spike in underground rumblings on a section of California's San Andreas Fault that produced a magnitude-7.8 earthquake in 1857.
What these mysterious vibrations say about future earthquakes is far from certain. But some think the deep tremors suggest underground stress may be building up faster than expected and may indicate an increased risk of a major temblor.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, monitored seismic activity on the fault's central section between July 2001 and February 2009 and recorded more than 2,000 tremors. The tremors lasted mere minutes to nearly half an hour.
Unlike earthquakes, tremors occur deeper below the surface and the shaking lasts longer.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Reminds me of the under-appreciated, underrated Kevin Bacon film “Tremors”.
Unlike earthquakes, tremors occur deeper below the surface and the shaking lasts longer.
During the study period, two strong earthquakes hit — a magnitude-6.5 in 2003 and a magnitude-6.0 a year later. Scientists noticed the frequency of the tremors doubled after the 2003 quake and jumped six-fold after 2004.
Tremor episodes persist today. Though the frequency of tremors have declined since 2004, scientists are still concerned because they are still at a level that is twice as high as before the 2003 quake.
The team also recorded unusually strong rumblings days before the 2004 temblor
The Fault, however, stretches north all the way to Seattle, running through the Puget Sound, where it is an over-and-under.
When the Cascadia Fault goes it could trigger the S.A. Fault, and Seattle would pretty much be a ruined city. I think the last time the Cascadia Fault gave way, 5 feet of landline was submerged and it created a tsunami that hit Japan.
It would be nice if we could evacuate any FReepers and other right minded folks, then let the God forsaken state fall off into the ocean.
It would literally be analogous to culling a dead limb on a tree as far as the country is concerned....
The upside is that if California falls into the ocean it won’t catch fire this year.
Jump into the fire if ya wanna be free yeah yeah yeah....
Harry Nielson for those who don’t know.
You make a good point!
Have Family in L.A. Also in S.F. and Medford Ore. Hope this isn’t a preview of the “Big One”.
I know..Will keep an eye out for updates on it...
Much of your food is grown in The Big Valley.
It’s also full of conservatives.
Ask Jim.
If you think a lot of folks are walking away from their mortgages due to the economy, just wait till 100’s of thousands of them are damaged or destroyed in quakes.
Even the “San Andreas Fault” is getting tired of hearing about Mikey Jackson.
Graboids!
Oh I know..One Big Quake or another Katrina Disaster, the housing market will be burnt toast!
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