An Elusive Blind-Thrust Fault Beneath Metropolitan Los Angeles

1999/03/05 by John H. Shaw, and Peter M. Shearer · 4 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Computer Science · #earthquake and tectonic studies #Seismology and Earthquake Studies #Seismic Waves and Analysis

paper · doi:10.1126/science.283.5407.1516

openalex publication_date 1999/03/05 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

Seismic reflection profiles, petroleum wells, and relocated earthquakes reveal the presence of an active blind-thrust fault beneath metropolitan Los Angeles. A segment of this fault likely caused the 1987 Whittier Narrows (magnitude 6.0) earthquake. Mapped sizes of other fault segments suggest that the system is capable of much larger (magnitude 6.5 to 7) and more destructive earthquakes.

Citations

• New empirical relationships among magnitude, rupture length, rupture width, rupture area, and surface displacement

Cited by

• Shallow seismic imaging of folds above the Puente Hills blind‐thrust fault, Los Angeles, California
• New View of Seismic Risk Assessment and Reduction of Accumulated Tectonic Stress Based on Earthquake Prediction
• Blind thrust earthquake [wikipedia]
• Los Angeles [wikipedia]