San Andreas Capable of producing a 8.6 eq scientist are now speculating...

In recent years, scientists, first responders and utilities have been preparing for "The Big One," that inevitable quake that will rock Southern California to its core. It's coming. For sure. They just don't know when.

But the U.S. Geological Survey and Caltech have been on the ball, working from a likely scenario, a simulated "Shakeout" (see video after the jump) that would have a 7.8 quake hitting greater L.A. It would be deadly, destructive and put us in the dark for days, if not weeks.

Unfortunately, a 7.8 might now be too low of an estimate for The Big One:

[link to blogs.laweekly.com]