California is poised for major earthquake THIS YEAR - says new study tracking ... trends now
A fault line that runs through California could be months ways from having would could be a 6-magnitude earthquake - setting off the first major seismic event in decades.
A new study determined that quakes happen around every 22 years at the Parkfield section of the fault line in central California, which runs through Eureka and ends just past Palm Springs.
The most recent was a 6-magintidue in 2004, which followed previous ones in a magnitude-6.7 in 1983, a 6.0 in 1966 and 1934 saw a 6.5-magnitude quake.
Parkfield is suspected to be nearing the end of its quiet period and an earthquake could strike the fault line this year, according to lead researcher Luca Malagnini.
Researchers determined that quakes happen every 22 years at the Parkfield section of the fault line in central California, with the last one hitting in 2004
The San Andreas Fault, seen here on Carrizo Plain in southern California, runs for hundreds of miles along the state and is the site of relatively frequent earthquakes.
Scientists have long been monitoring the San Andreas Fault Line that is predicted for the 'Big One.'
If a major quick would strike, experts have predicted about 1,800 people would be killed, 50,000 injured and over 60 buildings would crumble - resulting in at least $200 billion in damages.
But while California is currently safe, a new study setout to see if there are warning signs to help residents prepare.
On September 28, 2004, an earthquake shook the area with an epicenter at the town of Parkfield that was home to just 37 people.
The quake felt across a 350-mile stretch of the state - from Orange County to Sacramento.
Scientists also clocked in 150 aftershocks following the seismic event.
Malagnini, director of researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy, told Live Science that he believes a quake is set for this year, but may not strike at the 2004 epicenter.
Even though the time window is approaching when there is likely to be another earthquake at the Parkfield section of the San Andreas Fault, the area is not making much seismic noise.
The team setout to uncover a possible pattern
