The chances of a major earthquake striking the Bay Area within the next 30 years are increasing. A new report from the U.S. Geological Survey estimates there is now a 74 percent probability of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake hitting the region during that period. That’s a two-percentage-point increase from the previous assessment. Experts say the higher risk is largely tied to movement along the region’s active fault lines, which continues to build what scientists call tectonic stress beneath the surface. The findings serve as another reminder that the Bay Area remains at significant risk for a devastating earthquake. However, officials stress that the report does not mean a major quake is imminent or that scientists can predict exactly when one will occur. Despite advances in earthquake science and monitoring technology, the timing of large earthquakes remains largely unpredictable. Residents are urged to prepare now for the possibility of a major earthquake.
