San Diego’s Rose Canyon fault is MORE dangerous than thought and could trigger a massive earthquake that would ‘liquefy’ the ground
Researchers from San Diego State University have been examining the fault
They found it causes violent quakes twice as frequently as previously believed
Previous research found the system is linked to the Newport-Inglewood fault
If the two were to fracture together it could create a magnitude 7.4 earthquake
By TIM COLLINS
DailyMail.com
2 June 2017
San Diego’s Rose Canyon Fault is at a greater risk of triggering powerful earthquakes than experts had first believed.
The fault line is believed to produce tremors that can measure up to 6.8 on the Richter Scale every 700 years.
Researchers had previously thought this would only happen every 1,000 to 1,500 years.
When it does hit, its power will be big enough to ‘liquefy’ the region.
Seismologist Tom Rockwell told the LA Times: ‘A powerful quake in the mid-to-upper 6s could cause liquefaction around San Diego and Mission bays and locally in Mission Valley, and cause the land to be offset across the fault, which would damage buildings.’
The Rose Canyon fault stretches almost 40 miles, from San Diego bay in the south before veering offshore near La Jolla and reaching as far north as Oceanside.
Researchers from San Diego State University have been digging in Old Town, San Diego to find out more about the faultline.
They discovered it creates a magnitude 6.5 to 6.8 earthquake about once every 700 years, about double the previous most conservative estimate.
And if the Rose Canyon fault and nearby Newport-Inglewood fault were triggered simultaneously, it could create a quake of magnitude 7.4.
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