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Los Angeles earthquake risk amplified by soft underground sediments
A study by the California Institute of Technology, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, warns that the geological structure beneath Los Angeles could significantly amplify earthquake tremors.
Computer simulations of a potential 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the Salton Sea suggest that seismic waves traveling toward Los Angeles would cause the ground in the downtown area to oscillate for several minutes. This effect is attributed to a deep basin of soft sediments under the city, which acts as an amplifier for seismic energy.
Experts, including earthquake preparedness advocate Ken Hudnut, have highlighted the danger of the Cajon Pass, where the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems converge. A major event in this area could disrupt critical Southern California infrastructure, including major highways, railways, power lines, gas pipelines, and fiber optic cables.
Entities
California Institute of Technology · Ken Hudnut · Los Angeles · Salton Sea · San Andreas Fault
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth indicates that soft sediments under Los Angeles can amplify seismic waves. www.fehmarn24.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.hna.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Cajon Pass, where the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems meet, poses a significant risk to Southern California infrastructure. www.fehmarn24.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.hna.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Simulations show ground under Downtown Los Angeles moving for minutes during a major earthquake. www.fehmarn24.de · www.kurierverlag.de · www.hna.de