USGS To Map Hayward Fault Using Seismic Energy from Building Implosion

From left, USGS research geophysicist Dr. Rufus Catchings and USGS' Coyn Criley work out the placement of seismometers around Warren Hall (in background) on California State University East Bay's Hayward campus. The landmark building’s implosion will produce energy similar to a small earthquake that can be used to study and map the nearby Hayward Fault. In partnership with the university, USGS scientists will monitor the pulse of energy created by the implosion on nearly 600 seismometers temporarily placed in a mile radius around the building with help from hundreds of citizen-scientist hosts and volunteers.