Earthquake Near Danville Ca
Friday night and Saturday morning, an earthquake near Danville CA struck. The tremors were felt throughout the area as well as in the Bay Area. This was the third temblor to strike this week after a magnitude 5.1 quake in east San Jose on Monday followed by several smaller ones across the Bay Area on Tuesday.
Austin Elliott, a geologist with the U.S Geological Survey who has been monitoring this fault for three decades, noted that the epicenter was located on the Calaveras fault system which extends 80 miles south of Hollister into Danville-Walnut Creek area. This fault has been active since 1850s and produces earthquakes of magnitude 3.5 or greater every 30 years or so.
California has several active fault lines, the two most famous being San Andreas and Hayward faults, which produce major tremors throughout the Bay Area. Indeed, the Hayward fault is so close to Los Angeles’ center that it has been dubbed “District of Death.”
It’s essential for individuals to be aware of earthquakes and their potential effects on the region. The USGS and other agencies offer a range of resources that can assist residents in both preparation for and recovery from an event such as a quake.
Earthquakes often strike without warning, leaving you uncertain as to if you’ve been affected. That is why it is essential to assemble an emergency kit and plan ahead for how you will react in case of a temblor.
20 years ago, the San Francisco Bay Area was rocked by the Loma Prieta earthquake which caused devastating destruction throughout the region. Although there have been no major quakes since then, residents remain vulnerable to future tremors.
In addition to the San Andreas and Hayward faults, there are two other notable active faults in the region: Calaveras and Concord faults. Situated 50-60 miles apart, these faults could produce several large earthquakes.
These faults run the length of the Hayward fault and can produce a magnitude 7 earthquake. Recently, Elliott reported, an earthquake that rattled Lone Pine in the Eastern Sierra sent boulders tumbling down Mt. Whitney – a mountain rising more than 3,000 feet (900 meters) above sea level.
Another major fault, Antelope Valley fault, lies just south of Lake Tahoe and can produce an earthquake as strong or greater than Loma Prieta’s temblor. Although no major earthquakes have occurred there since that quake, residents in this part of California may not be as familiar with it as they are with the other two major faults.
The Antelope Valley fault is situated along Interstate 395, a major north-south route through the northern Sierra Nevada. Drivers who shared video on Twitter reported feeling the shaking while driving through this region. They say dust flew into the air and even sent rocks tumbling down the road.