USGS · 70012603
Magnitude of shear stress on the San Andreas fault: Implications of a stress measurement profile at shallow depth
Abstract
A profile of measurements of shear stress perpendicular to the San Andreas fault near Palmdale, California, shows a marked increase in stress with distance from the fault. The pattern suggests that shear stress on the fault increases slowly with depth and reaches a value on the order of the average stress released during earthquakes. This result has important implications for both long- and short-term prediction of large earthquakes.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Mark D. Zoback, J. C. Roller. 1979. Magnitude of shear stress on the San Andreas fault: Implications of a stress measurement profile at shallow depth. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.206.4417.445
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.