00:00Southern California's earthquake risk is back in focus.
00:03A new study says stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto fault systems
00:08has reached its highest level in 1,000 years.
00:11Scientists are watching Cajun Pass, a critical junction north of Los Angeles.
00:16They call it an earthquake gate because it may either stop a rupture
00:20or allow it to jump between fault lines.
00:23That matters because a joint rupture could affect a much wider area
00:27than a single fault quake.
00:28Cities and corridors from Los Angeles to San Bernardino,
00:33Riverside and the Coachella Valley could face simultaneous impacts.
00:37Major highways, railways and energy routes all cross this region.
00:41Researchers say this is not a prediction of when the next earthquake will strike.
00:46But they warn the system is critically stressed.
00:48Their message is clear.
00:50Southern California should prepare now,
00:52before the next major quake tests the fault gate.
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