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New earthquake study finds San Andreas fault is primed for a big quake
By Sena Chang at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
Scientists agree that Southern California will experience another major earthquake. The challenge is that no one knows exactly when.(Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)An earthquake is overdue along Southern California’s “critically stressed” San Andreas and San Jacinto faults, according to...
Key takeaway In the study, scientists found that the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults are under more stress than at any point in the last 1,000 years, meaning that a massive earthquake could be on the way.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The new study's findings have significant implications for Los Angeles , as a major earthquake along the San Andreas or San Jacinto faults would likely have a devastating impact on the city's infrastructure and residents. The fact that the Cajon Pass could act as an "earthquake gate," allowing a rupture to spread across multiple fault systems, raises concerns about the potential for widespread damage and disruption to critical services. Los Angeles' emergency response plans and disaster preparedness efforts will be crucial in mitigating the effects of a large earthquake, and the city's residents and businesses should take heed of the study's warnings to review and update their own emergency plans. The study's use of geological evidence and computer modeling also highlights the importance of continued investment in seismic research and monitoring in the Los Angeles area, where the risk of a major earthquake is ever-present.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Scientists agree that Southern California will experience another major earthquake. The challenge is that no one knows exactly when.(Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)An earthquake is overdue along Southern California’s “critically stressed” San Andreas and San Jacinto faults, according to...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sena Chang at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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