6.3 Earthquake in Arizona.... (But he means NE Nevada)

[Kevy Baby]

My armchair observation: Don't the big ones tend to occur on faults previously unknown or faults thought to be dormant? I don't remember any significant earthquakes on the San Andreas, which is popularly thought to be the one to worry about.

Again, this is WAS* on my part.













*WAS = Wild Ass Speculation

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

My armchair observation: Don't the big ones tend to occur on faults previously unknown or faults thought to be dormant?

Generally speaking, if a fault doesn't make regular little movements (resulting in smaller quakes) then the pressure just builds up in an eventual large movement (aka "a big one").

(Are we talking about plate tectonics or bowels?)

Also, areas with frequent earthquakes have building codes appropriate for such events. If California gets hit by a 5.0 there's very little damage. Same quake in a region that sees a 5.0 once every 3000 years will do much more significant damage. So "the big ones" are a matter of relativity.

I'm no expert so this could be all WAS on my part too.