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A spate of major earthquakes on small faults could overturn traditional views about how earthquakes start, according to a new study. The study highlights the role of smaller faults in forecasting California’s risk of large earthquakes. In the past 25 years, many of California’s biggest earthquakes struck on small faults, away from the San Andreas Fault plate boundary.
These events include the Landers, Hector Mine and Napa earthquakes. Several of the quakes were unexpected, rattling areas thought seismically quiet.Image credit: UC Davis
