Some of the shortening can be attributed to several known fault systems and two models have been proposed to account for the excess.

These two fields are separated by a narrow fault system.

Over 600 earthquakes occur in the park each year, helping seismologists to understand this fault system.

These fault systems allow the region to stretch, while also decreasing its thickness.

The end result is that terrains to the west of the fault system have moved toward the north.

Its source is believed to rise along fault systems.

Academics believe the Chamoli earthquake in 1999 is associated with these fault systems.

But of course a fault system this large isn't just one single tear in the Earth.

It is estimated that there has been about 1000km of lateral movement along the fault system over the past 25 Ma.

Extensive fault systems like those along the California coast might offer such a geological environment, she said.