Major Earthquake Threat to California Coastal Cities: Expert Warns of Cascadia Fault Danger

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has raised concerns about a potential 9.0 magnitude earthquake along the Cascadia fault line, which runs from Northern California to Vancouver, British Columbia. The study models potential scenarios, including significant land subsidence in coastal areas. Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, explained that the offshore location of the fault means the most intense shaking would be underwater. "The heaviest shaking would be underwater," Dr. Jones stated. However, she also noted that other faults closer to Los Angeles, such as the Puente Hills thrust fault, pose a more immediate threat. Dr. Jones listed several Los Angeles fault lines capable of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake, including the Newport-Inglewood, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Whittier, and Puente Hills faults. The study underscores the importance of earthquake preparedness in California and the ongoing threat posed by various fault lines in the region.