Large earthquake the size of Loma Prieta possible in Silicon Valley

Stanford scientists warn of large earthquake possibility in Silicon Valley

Scientists at Stanford are warning about the possibility of an earthquake as big as Loma Prieta, on a fault under Silicon Valley. Two of the lesser known faults, known together as the Foothill Thrust Belt, could produce a 6.9 magnitude quake, according to the new report.

STANFORD, Calif. - Scientists at Stanford warned of a large earthquake possibly brewing in Silicon Valley.

The new study found that two faults, known together as Foothill Thrust Belt, could produce a quake as big as the Loma Prieta that rattled the Bay Area in 1989.

They said the 6.9 magnitude shake could happen every 250-300 years along this belt.

ALSO: California earthquake alerts: how to get notified before a quake

While it's a cautionary warning, seismologists admit they have no way of predicting exactly when a large quake could strike.

California uses science, state-of-the-art ground motion monitoring, and new and existing alerting methods to deliver warnings to residents' cell phones before the strongest shaking arrives.

The state's earthquake warning system was activated swiftly a few weeks ago when a 4.4 magnitude temblor hit Santa Rosa.