New San Andreas Geological Study Prompts California Seismic Safety Commission Review

SACRAMENTO, CA — The California Seismic Safety Commission and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) convened an technical briefing early Friday morning following the publication of peer-reviewed geological research demonstrating that central segments of the San Andreas Fault are accumulating tectonic stress faster than historical baseline models projected.

Geodetic Satellite Telemetry and Fault Slip Models

The multi-year study, conducted by geologists from San Jose State University and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), utilized high-precision InSAR satellite radar telemetry and laser strainmeters to measure deep sub-surface creep along the creeping and locked segments south of the San Francisco Bay Area. The findings indicate that the locked transition zone near San Juan Bautista is slipping at an accelerated rate, potentially compressing the recurrence interval for moderate-to-large seismic events in the Central Coast and South Bay regions.

Cal OES Director Nancy Ward emphasized that while earthquakes cannot be predicted on specific calendar dates, updated geodetic models are essential for engineering retrofits and emergency preparedness.

Municipal Building Codes and Infrastructure Hardening

State officials urged municipal building departments in Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties to review compliance with mandatory soft-story multifamily retrofit ordinances and verify seismic shutoff valves on natural gas infrastructure.

Structural engineers commended the rapid integration of advanced satellite data into state hazard mitigation planning.

Public Emergency Preparedness Campaigns

Cal OES will expand public outreach promoting the statewide Earthquake Warning California early detection mobile alert system ahead of the Great California ShakeOut drill.