How do I find fault or hazard maps for California?
An online map of faults that includes California can be found in the Faults section of the Earthquake Hazards Program website. Choose the Interactive Fault Map, or download KML files and GIS shapefiles from the links on the page.
USGS seismic hazard maps, data and tools for California and other parts of the United States can be found in the Hazards section of the Earthquake Hazards Program website.
The California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology has a number of Geologic Maps and Data including:
- Geologic Map of California
- Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Maps
- Seismic Hazard Zone Maps
- Landslide Maps
- Watershed Maps
- Topographic Maps
Related Content
Why are there so many faults in the Quaternary Faults Database with the same name?
Why are there no faults in the Great Valley of central California?
Why are there so many earthquakes and faults in the Western United States?
What is a "Quaternary" fault?
Where can I find a fault map of the United States? Is one available in GIS format?
What is a fault and what are the different types?
What is the relationship between faults and earthquakes? What happens to a fault when an earthquake occurs?
UCERF3: A new earthquake forecast for California's complex fault system
With innovations, fresh data, and lessons learned from recent earthquakes, scientists have developed a new earthquake forecast model for California, a region under constant threat from potentially damaging events. The new model, referred to as the third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, or "UCERF" (http://www.WGCEP.org/UCERF3),...
Field, Edward H.
Earthquakes and faults in southern California (1970-2010)
The map depicts both active and inactive faults and earthquakes magnitude 1.5 to 7.3 in southern California (1970–2010). The bathymetry was generated from digital files from the California Department of Fish And Game, Marine Region, Coastal Bathymetry Project. Elevation data are from the U.S. Geological Survey National Elevation Database....
Sleeter, Benjamin M.; Calzia, James P.; Walter, Stephen R.
Where's the San Andreas fault? A guidebook to tracing the fault on public lands in the San Francisco Bay region
Stoffer, Philip W.
First USGS urban seismic hazard maps predict the effects of soils
Probabilistic and scenario urban seismic hazard maps have been produced for Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee covering a six-quadrangle area of the city. The nine probabilistic maps are for peak ground acceleration and 0.2 s and 1.0 s spectral acceleration and for 10%, 5%, and 2% probability of being exceeded in 50 years. Six scenario maps for...
Cramer, C.H.; Gomberg, J.S.; Schweig, E.S.; Waldron, B.A.; Tucker, K.
Earthquakes and faults in the San Francisco Bay area (1970-2003)
The map depicts both active and inactive faults and earthquakes magnitude 1.5 to 7.0 in the greater San Francisco Bay area. Twenty-two earthquakes magnitude 5.0 and greater are indicated on the map and listed chronologically in an accompanying table. The data are compiled from records from 1970-2003. The bathymetry was generated from a digital...
Sleeter, Benjamin M.; Calzia, James P.; Walter, Stephen R.; Wong, Florence L.; Saucedo, George J. Quaternary fault and fold database of the United States
Machette, Michael N.; Haller, Kathleen M.; Dart, R.L.; Rhea, S.B. USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently completed new probabilistic seismic hazard maps for the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. These hazard maps form the basis of the probabilistic component of the design maps used in the 1997 edition of the NEHRP Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures...
Frankel, A.D.; Mueller, C.S.; Barnhard, T.P.; Leyendecker, E.V.; Wesson, R.L.; Harmsen, S.C.; Klein, F.W.; Perkins, D.M.; Dickman, N.C.; Hanson, S.L.; Hopper, M.G. Reconnaissance landslide map of parts of Marin and Sonoma counties, California
Wentworth, Carl M.; Frizzell, Virgil A.
Debris Flow Hazard Maps for Southern California Released
Maps showing the potential for destructive mudflows in the wake of recent Southern California wildfires were made available to the public and emergency responders today by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The maps estimate the size of potential debris flows, commonly known as mudflows, and the areas that could be affected when rainfall begins on recently-burned areas.
A Virtual Tour of the Hayward Fault
The U.S. Geological Survey has a new website that offers a virtual tour of the Hayward fault.
USGS Release Updated Landslide Hazard Maps for Southern California
At 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, the U.S. Geological Survey advised state and federal agencies about the continuing possibility of landslides and debris flows in seven counties of southern California. The counties are: San Diego, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. Here is the advisory that was issued:
3D likelihood California earthquake in the next 30 years
Three-dimensional perspective view of the likelihood that each region of California will experience a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake in the next 30 years (6.7 matches the magnitude of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and 30 years is the typical duration of a homeowner mortgage).
Santa Rosa area showing active faults
Shaded relief image of the Santa Rosa area showing active faults (black lines) and the detailed rupture pattern of the Rodgers Creek Fault where it crosses central Santa Rosa (in red). The orange, bean-shaped area represents the dense, magnetic body of rock on the east side of the fault beneath Santa Rosa. This body of rock may be largely responsible for the pattern of
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Hayward Fault - A virtual tour demonstration
A virtual tour of the 1868 Hayward Earthquake in Google Earth.
Utilities on San Andreas Fault
Directly on the San Andreas with high pressure gas lines underground and high voltage power lines overhead at Cajon Pass, CA
I saw on a map that I live in an area of "high liquefaction probability." What does that mean and can I do anything about it?
Listen to hear the answer.
Liquefaction in Subsurface Layer of Sand
Ground shaking triggered liquefaction in a subsurface layer of sand, producing differential lateral and vertical movement in a overlying carapace of unliquified sand and silt, which moved from right to left toward the Pajaro River. This mode of ground failure, termed "lateral spreading," is a principal cause of liquefaction-related earthquake damage.
Traces of the Hayward Fault, California
The purpose of this map is to show the location of and evidence for recent movement on active fault traces within the Hayward Fault Zone, California. The mapped traces represent the integration of the following three different types of data: (1) geomorphic expression, (2) creep (aseismic fault slip),and (3) trench exposures.
Map of known active geologic faults in the San Francisco Bay region
Map of known active geologic faults in the San Francisco Bay region, California, including the Hayward Fault. The 72 percent probability of a magnitude (M) 6.7 or greater earthquake in the region includes well-known major plate-boundary faults, lesser-known faults, and unknown faults. The percentage shown within each colored circle is the probability that a M 6.7 or
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