San Andreas Fault slip rate found to be faster than estimated

New research indicates that the slip rate of the northern San Andreas Fault in the Santa Cruz Mountains is moving faster than previously estimated. The study, conducted by San Jose State University earthquake geologist Kim Blisniuk, analyzed data spanning the last 10,000 years, whereas previous research typically covered only up to 1,000 years.

Geologists note that faster-moving faults generally experience more frequent earthquakes compared to slower-moving ones. The findings challenge previous theories suggesting that the slip rate of the northern San Andreas would slow down further south as slip was transferred to other faults, such as the Calaveras or Hayward faults.