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A preliminary study on the relationship between precipitation and large earthquakes in Southern California

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Abstract

By comparing seasonal rainfall data from the past 90 years with the occurrence of large (M≥6) earthquakes along an arid stretch of the San Andreas fault system in southern California, certain correlations have been observed. Most large earthquakes are preceded by a pattern consisting of a few years of below normal precipitation (drought) terminated by one or more consecutive seasons of heavy (above normal) rainfall. While this drought-above normal rainfall cycle can be seen at times other than prior to major earthquakes, it precedes, to varying degrees, all of the twelve M≥6 events. This new precursor evidence, when combined with other premonitory signals, may offer a helpful diagnostic measure that could be useful in earthquake prediction in arid regions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Southern California, 90007, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Li-Sheng Huang, John McRaney, Ta-Liang Teng & Mark Prebish

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  1. Li-Sheng Huang
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  2. John McRaney
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  3. Ta-Liang Teng
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  4. Mark Prebish
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Huang, LS., McRaney, J., Teng, TL. et al. A preliminary study on the relationship between precipitation and large earthquakes in Southern California. PAGEOPH 117, 1286–1300 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00876220

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00876220

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