Mar 9, 2006 9:53 pm US/Pacific
Virtual Tour Of Hayward Fault
by Tony Russomanno
(CBS 5)
The Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 was big enough. The Bay Area's next big quake may make Loma Prieta look tiny by comparison.
"The Hayward Fault is locked and loaded," said Tom Brocher of the U.S. Geological Survey. "It is ready to fire at any time."
Today, the USGS released the most detailed look yet at what is regarded as the most dangerous earthquake fault in the Bay Area, the Hayward Fault.
Running through the densely populated East Bay, the Hayward fault has produced a major earthquake every 125 to 175 years, for at least the past 2 thousand years. The last one was 137 years ago.
"I guess that's the thing that makes it particularly interesting," said the USGS Geophysicist Jim Lienkaemper, "(is) that it's moving and it affects so may people."
A new, virtual tour of the Hayward Fault using Google Earth pinpoints with precise detail where the fault trace runs under homes. It's based on the actual observations of sometimes very visible evidence, like a street curb, offset by the fault, creeping a fifth of an inch a year in Fremont.
The new digital map is essentially the same as the one Lienkaemper made in 1992 when he walked the length of the Hayward fault. The trouble is, that map is 10 feet long when you unfurl it. "I think this version today is a lot easier to use," said Lienkaemper. "You can look at it online. You can get into details that you couldn't before."
Geologists use earthquake maps to make sure new homes and offices are not built directly on a fault line. The new online map was created to increase public awarness of the Hayward Fault's hazards.
Geologists say the Hayward Fault is ready for a big one, and we should get ready, too.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Stumble It!
Comments