Why Hasn’t the “Big One” Hit? New Research Gives Insight

Posted June 12, 2023, under Blog

If you live in Los Angeles, chances are you’ve heard about the imminent “Big One.”  But many are asking, why hasn’t the San Andreas fault generated an earthquake of this size yet?

According to a new study out of San Diego, scientists may have found some insight into this question.

The hypothesis – a lack of activity along the massive fault system could be due to shrinking water levels in the Salton Sea, which is located about 150 miles from Los Angeles.

It’s this lack of water that could be one of the major reasons there’s been such a gap in major earthquakes occurring along the San Andreas fault.

However the study warned that this delay will not stop the “Big One” from happening, especially since there has still been activity along the fault system.

The last time there was a significant earthquake along the San Andreas occurred 166 years ago between Monterey County and San Bernadino County. Another portion of the fault ruptured 117 years ago, known as the great San Francisco earthquake.

While the “Big One” may be on delay, California still experiences two to three large earthquakes per year – and these quakes oftentimes cause moderate damage.

If you own a home there are many important proactive measures you can take to protect your loved ones and your property from natural disasters.

Retrofitting homes, apartment structures, and commercial buildings are key to keeping California resilient in the face of earthquakes – and cost far less than repairing damage from a large seismic event.

If you think your home may be in need of earthquake retrofitting, foundation repair, or foundation replacement, contact Julian Construction today and we will send one of our foundation specialists out to conduct a free, thorough inspection with a quote for repair.

We have extensive experience serving our Los Angeles community and nearby regions. In fact, Julian Construction has inspected over 30,000 structures in the area! Give us a call at (323) 733-3377 to schedule your free inspection or complete the inspection request form.

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