Scientists tie Colorado River flooding to San Andreas quakes

In a new study led by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, scientists found that the floodwaters that periodically flowed through faults helped trigger earthquakes in the area, including several large ones along the mighty San Andreas.

I find it interesting that this study suggests humans may actually have delayed the next "big one" on the San Andreas fault by building a dam.

Experts stressed that not enough is known about how the San Andreas works to say for sure what causes its active and dormant periods. Susan Hough, a seismologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, said it makes sense that huge inflows and outflows of floodwater could affect seismic activity. But she said it's hard to know whether a lack of flooding is delaying the next "Big One" on the San Andreas.

"The one thing we know is, that part of the fault is going to produce a big earthquake one day," she said.

Link to LA Times article
The article ended with this quote, which makes it seem as though they are backtracking on their claim somewhat.

Thoughts?

Makes me wonder about all the flooding in the Midwest right now, and the possibility of a quake along New Madrid .

reply to post by TrueSuperman


Like JhnSmth, my thoughts went to the Ft. Calhoun situation in Nebraska (is that mid-west? ) The military corp of engineers are releasing huge amounts of water into an area (feeding) leading towards the New Madrid Fault line...

Intuition link.... I was reading an old (1964) Encyclopedia Britannica Atlas last night and a piece of data stuck in my head, that being that... "...Eastern North America..." was described as a "pivotal region" (of the world) of the "First Magnitude"... (Along with Western Europe,and Eastern Europe/Western USSR).

My point, or question would be...

If only eastern north America is a world pivotal region... could the purposeful flooding in the midwest be attempts to bring about a definative 'split' East /West of the CONUS?

I've heard the CanAmEx Highway was intended along these lines,

Great info OP, S&F

reply to post by jhnsmth



Seems to me it would delay it, just like on the San Andreas.

But like I said elsewhere on ATS, it also seems like it would help extra pressure build, making the next BIG one ... well, extra big.

@ Philojoshua

Yeah, Nebraska is considered part of the Midwest.

What do you suppose "pivotal link" & "First Magnitude" referred to? This is the first time I've heard or read of eastern North America described in such terms.

As for purposeful flooding in the Midwest ... The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) must interface with states in terms of resevoir & river management. One of their mandates includes managing seasonal water release throughout America, & the implied subext here is that states bump heads with one another in terms of water resources concomitant to economic interests while ACOE must manage a resource & arbitrate. Add to that last winter's excess snowfall in America, & this season's water cycle simply became a juggernaut for which ACOE had not projected.

Take it easy.

Originally posted by Axebo
@ Philojoshua

What do you suppose "pivotal link" & "First Magnitude" referred to? This is the first time I've heard or read of eastern North America described in such terms.

The Atlas was 1964/5 , mid cold war, the term 'Pivotal Region' was possibly denoting thoses regions who were most powerful in the world, and marking their equals and opposites, the other 'Pivotal Regions of the First Magnitude', were Western Europe; Eastern Europe; and the Western USSR.
My point was that it seems all the real money and power in the USofA is in the North Eastern Corner ContUS, and perhaps the eventuality of activating the New Madrid Fault by excess water ingress! Is this potentially possible?
A nuclear contaminated West and Mid-west, flooded, divided by official CanAmEx Highways, and the rest of the land re-wilded with all the animals that were exported OUT-of South America on Humanitarian grounds... Sorry, rant/SoapboxOfSpeculation approaching.... he he he

As for purposeful flooding in the Midwest ... The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) must interface with states in terms of resevoir & river management. One of their mandates includes managing seasonal water release throughout America, & the implied subext here is that states bump heads with one another in terms of water resources concomitant to economic interests while ACOE must manage a resource & arbitrate. Add to that last winter's excess snowfall in America, & this season's water cycle simply became a juggernaut for which ACOE had not projected.

So the military is releasing huge amounts of water, flooding economic assets etc, with no way for State to stop it??

Take it easy.

edit on 7-7-2011 by Axebo because: (no reason given)

edit on 7-7-2011 by Axebo because: (no reason given)

will do thanks :-)

Peace love and light

Philo.