USGS predicts massive earthquake in California within 30 years

MOUNT WASHINGTON, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The odds of a massive 8.0-magnitude or larger earthquake striking California in the next 30 years has increased, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Why? Seismologists like Susan Hough are realizing that faults can combine in strength.

"In the past, we've said, you can have an earthquake here, you can have an earthquake here, and we haven't considered the possibility that an earthquake can start on one fault and jump to the other," Hough said.

Still, chances are that great shakeout is not going to happen in real life tomorrow.

Before the study, the likelihood of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake happening was once every 600 years. Now, it's once every 500 years.

The deadly Northridge quake in 1994 was a magnitude 6.7.

The study says there's a 99 percent possibility there will be another 6.7 earthquake in the next 30 years somewhere in California, though most likely in northern California.

In case of disaster, experts recommend having enough supplies to live on for at least three days.

"Here in California, there's no excuse for not knowing about earthquakes and not knowing what the risks are," Hough said.

For more information on how to get ready for an earthquake, check out ABC7's Prepare SoCal campaign.