Geologists have long warned that the San Andreas Fault will cause another powerful earthquake in the future. (Image courtesy of Kevin Schafer via Getty Images)
A new study suggests that faults similar to the San Andreas do not necessarily follow past patterns, implying that California's next major earthquake could be stronger than any previously recorded.
The findings on fault behavior come from an analysis of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar in March, which killed more than 5,000 people and caused widespread destruction. The researchers found that the fault that caused the event, known as the Sagaing fault, ruptured over a wide area, including areas they could not have predicted based on previous events.
Faults are cracks in the Earth's crust. Stress can build up along these faults until the fault eventually ruptures, causing an earthquake. Given the similarities between the Sagaing and San Andreas faults, the events in Myanmar may give scientists more insight into what might happen in California.
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Sourse: www.livescience.com
