Chino Fault

The Chino Fault extends along the eastern Chino Hills range, It is.an upper branch of the Elsinore Fault Zone and is capable of producing a 6.1 to 7.0 earthquake.

Elsinore Fault

The Elsinore Fault is a split from the larger San Andreas Fault and extends about 110 miles from EI Centro and San Diego northwest to the Chino Hills. It is estimated the fault can produce a 6.5 to 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Elysian Park Fault

The Elysian Park Fault is approximately 12.4 miles long in central Los Angeles near Elysian Park, Dodger Stadium, Chinatown, and Echo Park. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.2 to 6.7 magnitude earthquake.

Garlock Fault

The Garlock Fault is a 160 mile long fault in the Mojave Desert region of Southern California which is capable of producing an 8.0 earthquake that could affect the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, Palmdale, Lancaster, Ventura, Oxnard, and Bakersfield.

Hollywood Fault

The Hollywood Fault runs about 9 miles along the northern edge of the Los Angeles Basin including the Hollywood community in Los Angeles. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 7A to 7.4 magnitude earthquake,

Newport-Inglewood Fault

The Newport-Inglewood Fault in Southern California extends 47 miles from Culver City southeast through Inglewood and other coastal communities to Newport Beach in Orange County at which point it extends east and southeast into the Pacific Ocean. It then comes to shore in the La Jolla area of San Diego. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 7.3 to 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

Northridge Fault

The Northridge Fault, also known as the Pico Thrust Fault, is located in the San Fernando Valley Region of Los Angeles. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.6 to 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

Puente Hills Fault

The Puente Hills Fault extends about 25 miles in several directions from the Puente Hills to just south of Griffith Park and from Downtown Los Angeles to near Brea and Chino Hills in northern Orange County. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 7.2 to 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Raymond Fault

The Raymond Fault branches from the San Andreas Fault and is located in San Gabriel Valley, sections of central Los Angeles, and parts of Ventura County. The following areas are included: Arcadia, San Marino, South Pasadena, Silver Lake, Griffith Park, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Point Mugu, and the Channel Islands. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.1 to 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

Rose Canyon Fault

The Rose Canyon Fault runs off the coast of San Diego County near Downtown San Diego to La Jolla, and is linked to the Newport-Inglewood Fault. The fault is capable of producing a 6.1 to 6.5 earthquake.

San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas Fault runs 759 miles, nearly the entire length of California from Bombay Beach near the Salton Sea in the south to just offshore near Eureka. Cities closest to the fault include Palm Springs in the Coachella Valley, San Bernardino, Palmdale in the Antelope Valley, San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Wrightwood, Devore, Highland, and Eureka. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.9 to 8.5 magnitude earthquake and that it would effect Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Riverside County, San Diego County, Imperial County, and Orange County in Southern California.

San Gabriel Fault

The San Gabriel Fault runs about 87 miles through parts of the San Gabriel Valley and northeastern San Fernando Valley. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 5.1 to 6.1 magnitude earthquake. Nearby communities include Saugus, Castaic, and Sunland.

San Jacinto Fault

The San Jacinto Fault runs through San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial counties for about 135 miles. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.5 to 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Shoreline Fault

The Shoreline Fault is approximately 20 mile long located less than one mile from the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.8 magnitude earthquake. According to Pacific Gas and Electric, the facility can withstand a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

Sierra Madre Fault

The Sierra Madre Fault, also known as the Sierra Madre-Cucamonga Fault runs about 59 miles along the southern edge of the San Gabriel Mountains reaching all the way to the San Fernando Valley. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 7.5 to 8.1 magnitude earthquake.

Ventura Fault

The Ventura Fault is an offshore and onshore fault that begins in Santa Barbara County and continues onshore to Ventura. From Ventura the fault bends east toward San Bernardino. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.9 to 8.3 magnitude earthquake and a tsunami affecting Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and Santa Monica.

Whittier Fault

The Whittier Fault runs about 25 miles between the cities of Whittier and Chino Hills. It is connected to the Chino Fault and the Elsinore Fault. It is estimated that the fault can produce a 6.1 to 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

Yorba Linda Fault

The Yorba Linda Fault extends from northeast Yorba Linda in Orange County to Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. The fault is capable of producing a 6.1 earthquake.

 

 

Liquefaction

Liquefaction is the process that takes place when severe earthquakes take place, shaking wet and/or sandy soil until it starts to become liquid, allowing sand to "boil up" to the surface, and causing structures to sink, and/or slopes to fail. Liquefaction causes extreme property damage and commonly takes place in areas near the ocean, lakes, rivers, creeks, streams, and large ponds. Even areas adjacent to intermittent creeks, streams, and rivers such the Los Angeles River, the San Gabriel River, and the Santa Clara River are highly vulnerable. The Los Angeles Alliance has an excellent map on its website showing areas at risk for liquefaction.

 

Earthquake Safety Precautions

 

Following are several suggestions for earthquake safety:

• As soon as you detect an earthquake, take personal possession of your emergency preparedness supply kit and keep it nearby.

• Get under a desk or sturdy table if you are indoors away from any windows. Even safety glass may shatter and cause injuries.

• Never stand under or near anything that can easily fall on you such as a bookcase or large cabinet.

• If you are in bed, cover your head and neck with pillows.

• Stay inside if you are at home. Don't go outside and don't get on the roads.

• If you are outside, stay outside away from buildings that could collapse. Stay in an open area if possible.

• Do not go into elevators. Take the stairs if needed.

• If you are driving, pull over to a large open space that is not beneath power lines or trees. Stay in the vehicle until everything settles down.

 

Earthquake Retrofitting

Earthquake Fault Zones

Disaster Supplies Checklists