Risk Of A Megaquake?

Heavy rain could set off a megaquake in California, experts have warned.

16:25 27 February 2017

California has been experiencing unusually heavy rainfall, which experts warned could set off a megaquake.

 

The US state is earthquake-prone as its hosts the great San Andreas fault zone.

 

Earthquakes can be triggered by even a tiny additional increment of stress added to a fault particularly if it is already loaded near its breaking point. Other than unusually heavy rainfall, other natural processes that can cause tiny increment of stress include a melting icecap and movement of plate tectonics.

 

A recent report says that California is ill-prepared for the big one. Experts added that local officials, as well as major businesses, have to face the reality to ‘prevent the inevitable disaster from becoming a catastrophe.’

 

The report, which was drafted by a group of policy and business leaders, identified several key areas that need to be addressed before a quake as strong as a magnitude 8 happens. The list includes ageing infrastructure, water supplies and the risk of catastrophic fires.

 

The report added that a major earthquake on the San Andreas would cut most lifelines in and out of southern California that could prevent critical aid from reaching some 20 million people.