Study: California fault that could produce massive quake moves for first time

A California fault that could produce a massive earthquake started moving for the first time following earthquakes near Ridgecrest, Calif., this summer, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science.

The study found that about 20 faults created the Ridgecrest earthquake sequence, USA Today reports. 

{mosads}Each fault may not have created the 6.4 and 7.1 quakes on their own, but the potential of multifault ruptures needs further attention, Zachary Ross, lead author on the study, told USA Today.

“We really have to remind ourselves that California is earthquake country,” Ross said. “So, it’s not just thinking about the largest, most damaging potential scenarios like events on the San Andreas, but remembering that there’s a potential for hazard pretty much all over the place.” 

The 7.1 magnitude earthquake near Ridgecrest in July was the largest to hit Southern California in at least 20 years. It was followed one day later by a 6.4 magnitude quake that shook the same area. 

The study found that the fault could produce a 8.0 magnitude earthquake, USA Today reports.

Ross told the newspaper it has yet to be determined how the movement could affect the danger of future earthquakes. 

The study was published the same day that California released an earthquake early warning app, USA Today notes. 

In addition to sending earthquake alerts, the app uses phones “like a mini seismometer” to detect quakes and record data, according to app’s website.