Photo: Goingslo on Flickr
Could Western water diversions be putting the Bay Area at risk for a monstrous earthquake? Scientists at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography are trying to understand why we’ve surpassed 100 years without a major quake. They think pressure is building along the San Andreas Fault because diversions and dams on the Colorado River may have stopped minor ruptures from occurring. Flooding of the river and the Salton Sea may be needed to release pressure on the fault line. “It’s been compared to a woman who is 15 months pregnant,” says one scientist. With all that time, you know what’s coming is going to be a big one. [Read more -California Watch].
