Scientists have warned that a hidden fault line, known as the Tintina fault, could unleash devastating earthquakes across North America, affecting millions of people and critical infrastructure. The fault system, which stretches over 621 miles from British Columbia to Alaska, has been overlooked for decades.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters found evidence of large earthquakes in the past 2.6 million years, including glacial landforms that were displaced across the fault escarpment. This suggests that a major seismic event could be imminent, with potential magnitude 7.5 earthquakes expected to strike.
Experts fear that such tremors could cause severe shaking in Dawson City and threaten nearby highways and mines, as well as trigger landslides in a notorious rockfall-prone region. The potential impact extends far beyond Canada, with some experts warning of seismic activity in Alaska’s Fairbanks North Star Borough and even Montana.
The Tintina fault was discovered in 1912 but remained dormant for 40 million years, leading scientists to believe it had been inactive. However, new topographic imaging from satellites, aircraft, and drones has revealed an 80-mile section of the fault that shows evidence of large earthquakes during the Quaternary Period.
The study’s lead author, Theron Finley, warned that future earthquakes on the Tintina fault could have devastating consequences, including widespread power outages, property damage, and loss of life. “We think that the fault may be at a relatively late stage of a seismic cycle, having accrued a slip deficit… If this were to be released, it would cause a significant earthquake,” Finley said.
As researchers re-examine the Tintina fault, experts emphasize the need for improved data and seismic hazard estimates. The study will be shared with local governments and emergency managers to help formulate plans for better earthquake preparedness protocols in their communities.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/07/28/science/hidden-fault-line-could-cause-catastrophic-earthquakes-across-north-america-researchers