LOS ANGELES - A new study suggests certain earthquake fault segments long thought to be stable may rupture and cause a mega-quake.
That's what happened during the 2011 magnitude-9 quake in Japan that triggered a tsunami and during the 1999 magnitude-7.6 Chi-Chi quake in Taiwan.
In both cases, scientists assumed that "creeping" segments in a fault would serve as a buffer and prevent the entire fault from unzipping.
But a new study published online Wednesday in the journal Nature suggests this may not always be the case.
This may have important implications for California's San Andreas Fault, which has a creeping section that separates the locked segments in Northern and Southern California.
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Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:15:18 GMT
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
A bear with a tag on its right ear wandered around in a neighborhood in Sun Valley for more than an hour today before being tranquilized by fish and game personnel.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:39 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:39:45 GMT
Anthony Weiner's mayoral bid, officially announced late Tuesday, offers a chance for him to update the public's perception of him from scandal-lashed politician to candidate who's talking ideas.
Anthony Weiner's mayoral bid, officially announced late Tuesday, offers a chance for him to update the public's perception of him from scandal-lashed politician to candidate who's talking ideas.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:52 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:52:33 GMT
Wendy Greuel had a light moment with the media as well as serious and sometimes emotional ones as she officially conceded the Mayor's race to Eric Garcetti.
Wendy Greuel had a light moment with the media as well as serious and sometimes emotional ones as she officially conceded the Mayor's race to Eric Garcetti.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:42 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:42:08 GMT
When tragedy strikes - like the tornado in Oklahoma, USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Teams are called to help from all over the country. In fact, the USAR Team from LA City Fire is ready to go on 2 hours notice.
When tragedy strikes - like the tornado in Oklahoma - USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) Teams are called to help from all over the country. In fact, the USAR Team from LA City Fire is ready to go on 2 hours notice. They have thirteen K9s trained to sniff out victims under rubble. Seven are ready to travel on a moment's notice.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:21 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:21:28 GMT
Monday's tornado killed at least 24 people, destroyed countless homes and reduced one elementary school almost entirely to rubble, killing seven children inside.
Monday's tornado killed at least 24 people, destroyed countless homes and reduced one elementary school almost entirely to rubble, killing seven children inside.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:30:19 GMT
Jodi Arias asked jurors Tuesday to give her life in prison, saying she "lacked perspective" when she told a local reporter in an interview that she preferred execution to spending the rest of her days in jail.
Jodi Arias asked jurors Tuesday to give her life in prison, saying she "lacked perspective" when she told a local reporter in an interview that she preferred execution to spending the rest of her days in jail.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:25 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:25:19 GMT
Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote.
Far-reaching legislation to grant a chance at citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in the United States cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a solid bipartisan vote Tuesday night.
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