Massive earthquake on San Andreas Fault could lead to larger quakes: USC study

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- An earthquake on the San Andreas Fault could trigger bigger earthquakes on other faults, according to a newly released study by the University of Southern California.

James Dolan, an earth sciences professor at USC, authored the study. He said the big earthquake would relieve the stress on the fault, but the stress would be passed along to the other faults instead of going away.

"We've been in a quiet period during most of the historic period in L.A. - that's going to have to end at some point," he said.

Dolan's research was presented to the Seismology Society of America conference in Pasadena.

Though the 1994 Northridge earthquake caused millions of dollars in damage, it was only a 6.7-magnitude quake.

In the 1800s, the San Andreas Fault had several earthquakes that were over a magnitude 7.5.

"We know that in the past we've had these seismic storms where we've had decades or a few centuries where we've had lots and lots of big earthquakes. We haven't really had any big earthquakes in Southern California in many decades," Dolan said.

This is a reminder to be prepared for the big one.