Planned skyscrapers in Hollywood may have earthquake fault beneath

A skyscraper project approved by the Los Angeles City Council last week may have an active earthquake fault directly beneath it, state officials say.

The Hollywood earthquake fault is active and may run directly under the million-square-foot Millennium Hollywood project, which would create two of Hollywood's tallest towers, California's state geologist said.

While the Hollywood fault has been known to geologists for several decades, it has never been accurately mapped on a block-by-block basis.

California law forbids construction of new buildings within 50 feet of an earthquake fault that has been declared active.

The head of the California Geological Survey, John Parrish, told the Los Angeles Times in an interview there is ample evidence the fault is active and capable of producing a devastating earthquake.

Parts of the fault appear to run underneath the Millennium towers, planned for 35 stores and 39 stories near Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, but further tests are needed for final confirmation, Parrish said.

"This is a very big project that they're working on, and they should have the latest information that's available," he said.