A fault line on the Canadian border, previously thought dormant for tens of millions of years, could cause a major earthquake. The Tintina fault, stretching 600 miles from northeastern British Columbia into Alaska, has shown signs of recent activity.
New topographic data collected from satellites, airplanes, and drones revealed an 80-mile-long segment of the fault with geological formations shifted laterally across it. This suggests the fault may have accumulated a slip deficit of six meters over the last 12,000 years.
If this buildup were to be released, it could cause a significant earthquake. Dr. Michael West, state seismologist at the Alaska Earthquake Center, warned that the Tintina fault is one of the least studied fault systems in North America, and more research is needed.
The study’s findings indicate the fault may have ruptured in a major earthquake for at least 12 thousand years and could generate an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 or greater. This type of earthquake can cause serious damage and destruction.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/tintina-fault-canada-major-earthquake-b2797684.html