The Hayward Fault—Is it due for a repeat of the powerful 1868 earthquake?

Thomas M. Brocher; Jack Boatwright; James J. Lienkaemper; Carol S. Prentice; David P. Schwartz; Howard Bundock

doi:10.3133/fs20183052

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The Hayward Fault—Is it due for a repeat of the powerful 1868 earthquake?

Thomas M. Brocher·Jack Boatwright·James J. Lienkaemper·Carol S. Prentice·David P. Schwartz·Howard Bundock

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Abstract

On October 21, 1868, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay area. Although the region was sparsely populated, the quake on the Hayward Fault was one of the most destructive in California’s history. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies show that similar Hayward Fault quakes have repeatedly jolted the region in the past and that the fault may be ready to produce another magnitude 6.8 to 7.0 earthquake. Such an earthquake could unexpectedly change people’s lives and impact the Bay Area’s infrastructure and economy, but updated building codes and retrofits, as well as planning, community training, and preparedness, will help reduce the effects of a future Hayward Fault earthquake.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 36.848856608486905° to 38.25112269630296° latitude; -122.72552490234375° to -121.48406982421875° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Thomas M. Brocher, Jack Boatwright, James J. Lienkaemper, Carol S. Prentice, David P. Schwartz, Howard Bundock. 2018-08-28. The Hayward Fault—Is it due for a repeat of the powerful 1868 earthquake?. https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20183052

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