California’s Looming Seismic Threat

Summary

The article explores the persistent fear and anticipation of "the big one," a catastrophic earthquake expected to hit Southern California. Highlighting past events like the 1989 Bay Area earthquake, it delves into the geological history of the San Andreas Fault and the scientific efforts to predict major quakes. Despite advancements in seismic technology and data collection, accurate earthquake prediction remains elusive. New technologies, including deep-learning algorithms and more sophisticated sensors, offer some hope but are still limited by the challenges of detecting subtle seismic activities deep below the Earth’s surface. The article underscores the enduring anxiety felt by Californians about impending earthquakes and the limitations of science in fully predicting natural disasters.