San Andreas Fault and megaquake misconceptions

[Ron Hessinger]

Hey, just waiting for the megaquake scheduled for later on today. Got my bathing suit on for the tsunami.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Welcome to PF! Hope you're inland!

 

[davenn]

Hey, just waiting for the megaquake scheduled for later on today. Got my bathing suit on for the tsunami.

Hi Ron
welcome to the physics forums :)

which megaquake is that ? the new San Andreas film maybe ?
It mite be a great disaster movie :) but scientifically it's just so wrong
1) The San Andreas is capable of producing "great quakes" 8.0 - 8.5 but mega quakes M9.0 + no is isn't
2) Strike slip faults like the San Andreas cannot produce tsunamis, that requires thrust faulting

cheers
Dave

 

[Ron Hessinger]

Hi Ron
welcome to the physics forums :)

which megaquake is that ? the new San Andreas film maybe ?
It mite be a great disaster movie :) but scientifically it's just so wrong
1) The San Andreas is capable of producing "great quakes" 8.0 - 8.5 but mega quakes M9.0 + no is isn't
2) Strike slip faults like the San Andreas cannot produce tsunamis, that requires thrust faulting

cheers
Dave

My students were worried about the quake because of a utube post. I set the record straight. If I could only get them interested in climate change...