Episode notes
8 Feb 2026
A hidden fault line, the Tantina fault, stretching from Alaska to Minnesota, could cause catastrophic earthquakes. Scientists warn that this fault, which has been dormant for 40 million years, is building towards a potentially large earthquake. Despite being one of the least studied fault systems, recent studies using advanced technology have uncovered evidence of past large earthquakes, indicating a major seismic event could be imminent.
Scientists warn that the Tintina fault in Canada could be at a late stage of its seismic cycle, with a significant earthquake potentially exceeding magnitude 7.5. This could trigger the Cascadia fault, leading to a magnitude 9+ earthquake, impacting over 125,000 people and critical infrastructure. The Tintina fault’s threat has been overlooked due to limited historical data and the difficulty of detecting past ruptures in forested regions.