Earthquake history, 1769-1989

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1989 · United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (USA)

OSTI ID:5668161

Ellsworth, W L

Motion between the North American and Pacific plates at the latitude of the San Andreas fault produces a broad zone of large-magnitude earthquake activity extending more than 500 km into the continental interior. The San Andreas fault system defines the western limits of plate interaction and dominates the overall pattern of seismic strain release. Few of the M {ge} 6 earthquakes that have occurred in the past 2 centuries were located on the San Andreas fault proper, an observation emphasizing the importance of secondary faults for both seismic-hazard assessment and tectonic processes.

• OSTI ID: 5668161
• Journal Information: United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (USA), Journal Name: United States Geological Survey, Professional Paper; (USA) Vol. 1515; ISSN XGPPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
CALIFORNIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EARTHQUAKE MAGNITUDE
EARTHQUAKES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FORECASTING
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC HISTORY
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GROUND MOTION
HAZARDS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
MECHANICS
MOTION
NORTH AMERICA
PLATE TECTONICS
RELAXATION
RISK ASSESSMENT
ROCK MECHANICS
SEISMIC EVENTS
SEISMIC P WAVES
SEISMIC S WAVES
SEISMIC WAVES
SEISMICITY
STRESS RELAXATION
TECTONICS
TIME DEPENDENCE
USA