OPTIMUM SEISMIC, INC.
MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER
New Research Raises Concerns About the “Big One”
Ali Sahabi, GEC
Principal,
Optimum Seismic, Inc.
New research from Oregon State University suggests the earthquake threat facing the West Coast could be even greater than previously understood. Scientists studying ancient sediment along the Cascadia subduction zone and the San Andreas Fault found evidence that the two fault systems may have triggered one another in the past. Researchers believe simultaneous major earthquakes could create a multi-state emergency impacting cities from San Francisco and Portland to Seattle and Vancouver.
While events like this are rare, the study serves as another reminder that earthquake risk is a constant reality along the West Coast. Preparing buildings before a major earthquake occurs remains one of the most important steps property owners can take. Seismic retrofitting helps strengthen vulnerable structures, reduce damage, and improve safety for residents and occupants when strong shaking happens.
The Science of Earthquakes
An earthquake is what happens when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another. The surface where they slip is called the fault or fault plane. The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter.
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Earthquake damage at deeper depths occurs long after initial activity
Earthquakes often bring to mind images of destruction, of the Earth breaking open and altering landscapes. But after an earthquake, the area around it undergoes a period of post-seismic deformation, where areas that didn’t break experience new stress as a result of the sudden change in the surroundings. Once it has adjusted to this new stress, it reaches a state of recovery.
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What a devastating earthquake revealed about future quake risk
A devastating earthquake in Myanmar is giving scientists new insight into how major quakes start, spread and grow. The findings could improve risk estimates for dangerous faults around the world.
A new study, published in the journal Science and led by researchers at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, finds that faults that appear structurally simple can produce surprisingly complex earthquakes.
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Do The Santa Ana Mountains Mark A Major Earthquake Fault?
The Santa Ana Mountains in Orange County are one of Southern California’s most iconic natural landmarks, providing a dramatic and beautiful backdrop to communities throughout the region.
Stretching from the Whittier Fault in the north to the Santa Margarita River in the south, the range includes several prominent peaks. Among the highest are Modjeska Peak (5,496 feet) and Santiago Peak (5,689 feet), which together form the well-known Saddleback silhouette visible across much of Orange County.
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Optimum Seismic News
Optimum Seismic has helped property owners across California strengthen and improve their buildings through structural engineering, steel fabrication, and construction services tailored to each project’s unique needs.
With more than 3,500 earthquake retrofits, renovations, and change of use projects completed, our team remains committed to delivering value engineering, quality workmanship, and customer-focused solutions that prioritize both safety and cost effectiveness.
