What is the most active fault line in California?

The San Andreas fault system
The San Andreas fault system is the major geologic boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates and passes through much of the state. It will create the biggest earthquakes—as big as magnitude 8—that will disrupt the whole region.

What part of California is on a fault line?

The San Andreas Fault System, which crosses California from the Salton Sea in the south to Cape Mendocino in the north, is the boundary between the Pacific Plate (that includes the Pacific Ocean) and North American Plate (that includes North America).

Is Los Angeles built on a fault line?

The Hollywood fault runs through some of the most densely populated parts of Los Angeles. According to the California Geological Survey, the fault runs roughly along Franklin Avenue through Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard through West Hollywood.

What fault is the San Fernando Valley on?

the Sierra Madre Fault Zone
Situated at the boundary to the San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando Valley, the Sierra Madre Fault Zone (also known as the Sierra Madre-Cucamonga Fault) runs along the southern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains for a total of 95 kilometers (59 mi), where the northwesternmost 19 km (12 mi) comprises the San Fernando …

What city in California has the most earthquakes?

San Francisco has the highest risk of an earthquake as it is located directly on the San Andreas fault, one of the most volatile in the world. Because of its location relative to major fault lines, the Greater Bay Area experiences many earthquakes year-round.

Is Los Angeles due for a major earthquake?

The USGS has some tangible estimates on a “Strong” or “Major” event in Los Angeles in the next 30 years: There’s a 60% chance that it’ll be an earthquake measuring magnitude 6.7m. There’s a 46% chance that it’ll be an earthquake measuring magnitude 7m.

How big was Sylmar earthquake 1971?

magnitude 6.6
The magnitude 6.6 Sylmar earthquake that shook Southern California on Feb. 9, 1971, caused significant damage and 64 deaths.

How was the Northridge earthquake similar to the Sylmar earthquake?

The Northridge earthquake also shared several key attributes with the San Fernando/Sylmar event: both were brought about by thrust faults in the mountains north of Los Angeles, each resulting earthquake was similar in magnitude, both occurred in urban and industrial areas and resulted in significant economic impairment …