A new study points to a possible 6.0-magnitude earthquake striking California’s San Andreas Fault in the coming months. The research focuses on the Parkfield section, known for recurring tremors roughly every two decades.
The last major quake in Parkfield occurred in 2004, following a pattern established by previous events in 1934, 1966, and 1983. Lead researcher Luca Malagnini suggests the area is nearing the end of its quiet period, with a quake potentially hitting this year.
While scientists haven’t detected significant seismic activity yet, the study offers a potential warning sign. Researchers analyzed seismic measurements from the past 23 years, identifying a “preparatory phase” marked by specific changes in wave attenuation. This phase, characterized by high-frequency waves losing energy slower than low-frequency waves, could indicate impending tremors.
The research doesn’t claim to predict earthquakes definitively, but highlights a promising avenue for future earthquake prediction systems.