1,300km break in California can destroy 3.5 million houses

New research shows that earthquakes along the San Andreas fissure in the US could have more severe consequences than previously anticipated.

The strong 8.3-magnitude earthquake along the 1,300km length of the San Andreas fissure could destroy 3.5 million homes in California, USA, according to new analysis by estate researchers. CoreLogic, Science Alert production on November 22 reported. The cost of rebuilding after an earthquake is estimated at $ 289 billion.

San Andreas fissure runs along California state, USA.(Artwork: Thewrap).

In the case of an earthquake of 8.2 magnitude, 2.5 million houses will be damaged, resulting in a cost of 183 billion USD. The magnitude 8 earthquake will affect 2 million houses with a total cost of $ 145 billion.

The team used a predictive model called Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, Version 3 (UCERF3) of the US Geological Survey (USGS). According to this model, the entire San Andreas fissure can break at the same time, creating a large earthquake.

The 153 km long fault line connecting the south and north ends of the crack, between the towns of San Juan Bautista and Parkfield, will continue to shift and release energy, according to Ken Hudnut, USGS risk consultant. .

The UCERF3 model indicates that seismic activity at the fault section of 153 km will activate strong earthquakes at either the south or north ends of the San Andreas slot and spread to the other end.