Southern California Seismic Hazards

(biosphere and earthquakes)

Measured from a scale of 1-100 (1 is lower risk and 100 being the highest)

Pattern:
The expected ground motions are at high risk in Southern California in areas that fall closely to San
Andrea's fault that run through San Bernardino and past San Francisco. These areas are indicated by the
darker red shades on the map.

Process:
Earthquakes are a natural hazard and can be examined by its effect on the biosphere. Earthquakes affect
the earths system and cause tremendous damage to the earth and its inhabitants. Earthquakes are
natural and can occur on land or in water. You can visit the San Andrea's Fault located in California and
view the fault which is part of the natural earthquake process. The process of an earthquake includes
crustal development below the earths surface which in turn causes the earths outer crust to shift from
all the built up energy being created. The built up energy and movement soon builds up causing the
faults to shift and give away which thus in turn result in a major or minor earthquake.
Souce:http://eschooltoday.com/natural-disasters/earthquakes/how-do-earthquakes-occur.html

California Seismic Hazards

Measured from a scale of 1-100 (1 is lower risk and 100 being the highest)

Pattern:
The seismic severity of earthquakes are at a higher risk in the areas that are most close to the coast lines.
The further inland you travel the less severe the seismic hazard becomes.

Process:
The San Andreas Fault-line is located along the coast and through partial Southern California ranges to
810 miles. This fault line was created about 30 million years ago from a major earthquake. This
earthquake causes the splitting of the two plates called the Pacific Plate and the Northern American
Plate. The fault divides into three segments which all provide different earthquake risks when channeled
together. Areas surrounding the plates feel the shake of the quake much more than places miles away.
Sources: http://geology.com/articles/san-andreas-fault.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Andreas_Fault

United Sates Seismic Hazards

Measured from a scale of 1-100 (1 is lower risk and 100 being the highest)

Pattern:
The southern side of the United Sates is at a much greater risk then the Eastern side of the United States.
The level of seismic hazard decreases as you travel east.

Process:
The West Coast is near the biggest fault located in the United States. There are other minor faults
around the U.S. none near as severe as San Andreas. The plates that are located on the east coast are
still connected. The San Andrea's Fault line has a gapping gap between the plates which progressively
move by the estimated slip rate. The faults slip rate is about 1.5 inches each year. The faults that are
located on the east coast, even though can still cause a big earthquake, still remain together even after a
big earthquake year from year. West coast bi-polar weather also plays a part in pressure build up under
the earths surface. Changing in temperature so rapidly causes rises in the plate movement.

Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/23/east-coast-vs-west-coastearthquakes_n_934810.html

Screencast URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBrFR1rvuIw