Southern California: A Shifting Landscape
Southern California sits on a geological powder keg, with experts warning that the region’s risk is far from just Hollywood drama. The recent uptick in seismic activity around the San Andreas Fault has left many residents uneasy. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, clusters of smaller quakes near Ridgecrest in the past year have heightened anxieties about a larger event. “Every tremor is a reminder of the Big One that could strike at any time,” says Dr. Lucy Jones, a leading seismologist. Even with advanced early warning systems, dense urban development and aging infrastructure mean millions remain at risk. Local governments are hustling to retrofit buildings, but the sheer scale of the problem makes it a race against time. Insurance claims for earthquake-related damage in the region have quietly surged, signaling that these concerns are more than just hypothetical.
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