Land movement blamed for rupture of 34-inch SoCalGas transmission line
A rupture on a major Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) transmission line in Castaic was likely caused by significant land movement, according to a preliminary investigation by a geologist retained by the utility.
According to ABC 7 News, the incident occurred just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday near the Interstate 5 corridor east of the southbound lanes at Ridge Route Road. Fire officials confirmed the failure involved a 34-inch high-pressure natural gas transmission pipeline. When the line ruptured, gas was released forcefully, sending dirt and debris into the air and prompting the temporary closure of the freeway in both directions.
SoCalGas crews isolated the damaged section of pipeline later that evening, stopping the leak. Nearly 15,000 nearby households were instructed to shelter in place for several hours, though officials said there was no ongoing health risk. Fewer than five non-residential customers experienced service outages, and repair work continued into the following week, ABC 7 reported.
The area is known for geotechnical instability, and state geological mapping identifies the rupture location as a landslide hazard zone. The same stretch of the I-5 corridor has experienced multiple major slides in recent years, including two incidents in early 2023 that required extensive stabilization work and prolonged lane closures.
Officials said the preliminary findings point to ground movement—rather than pipeline integrity issues—as the likely cause of the rupture. Further evaluation is expected as repairs continue and agencies assess long-term mitigation measures in the landslide-prone area.
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