Scientists discover an earthquake gate as California faults reach their highest stress levels in 1,000 years

A new study suggests Southern California’s major fault system is more stressed than at any point in the last 1,000 years. Researchers found that the Cajon Pass, where the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults meet, could act as an “earthquake gate” that determines whether a future rupture spreads across both faults. Current conditions resemble those that preceded some of the region’s largest historical earthquakes.