First, all the active faults in Southern California, such as the San Andreas and the San Jacinto faults, were examined. Then, the fault lines were displayed via a 3D imaging program called Fledermaus. Afterward, the most significant earthquakes that occurred on each fault were studied. The data showed that the largest recorded earthquakes in Southern California were the Landers earthquake and the Hector Mine earthquake. Lastly, the magnitudes and depths of each earthquake since 1982 were reseached and plotted.
Southern California Fault Map Key for the Faults SA = San Andreas Rn = Rinconada Hos = Hosgri SJ = San Juan Oz = Ozena BP = Big Pine PM = Pine Mountain SY = Santa Ynez SC = San Cayetano SS = Santa Susanna Oak = Oakridge MC = Malibu Coast SM = Santa Monica SN = Sierra Nevada WW = White Wolf Gar = Garlock Bw = Blackwater Ha = Harper Lck = Lockhart Hel = Helendale Ln = Lenwood Cal = Calico Ps = Pisgah Lud = Ludlow Bul = Bullion PtM = Pinto Mountain Blu = Blue Cut SG = San Gabriel SiM = Sierra Madre PV = Palos Verdes N-I = Newport-Inglewood Wh = Whittier SJc = San Jacinto Ban = Banning HS = Hot Springs Els = Elsinore SsH = Superstition Hills SsM = Superstition Mountain Imp = Imperial
Total Number of Earthquakes 57,973 total earthquakes from earthquakes >M5 8 earthquakes > M6 2 earthquakes >M7 The two earthquakes greater than M7 were the Hector Mine and Landers earthquakes
Date of Earthquakes vs. Magnitude of Earthquakes The magnitudes of most earthquakes are within the range of 0-4 As the years progress, more earthquakes are recorded as technology improves
M (1-3)M (3-4) M (4-5) M (5-6) M (6-7) M (7-8) Magnitudes
Date of Earthquakes vs. Depth of Earthquakes : the earthquakes were all between the depths of km 1988: the deepest earthquake occurred After 1988, depths dropped 1999: depths rose again due to the Hector Mine earthquake
Years
Hector Mine Earthquake (1999) Landers Earthquake (1992) M (1-3) M (3-4) M (4-5) M (5-6) M (6-7) M (7-8) Magnitudes
Struck on the eastern side of the San Bernardino Mountains at 4:57 A.M on June 28, 1992 Magnitude of 7.3 Largest earthquake to hit Southern California since the Kern County earthquake in 1952 with a magnitude of 7.7 The type of faulting was right- lateral strike-slip One person killed, 25 people seriously injured, 372 people treated for earthquake related injuries Total property damage value was about $56 million Occurred on the Lenwood fault
Occurred 2:46 A.M on Saturday, October 16, 1999 The largest earthquake since the M7.3 Landers earthquake Occurred on the Calico fault Magnitude 7.0 Only lasted about ten seconds The type of faulting was a right-lateral strike-slip
In conclusion, Southern California is located on one of the most active faults, the San Andreas Fault. Also, the largest earthquakes ever to occur in Southern California are the Landers (1992) and Hector Mine (1999) earthquakes. Although we do not know when the big one will hit Southern California, our technology will keep improving to make our cities safer and to make sure everyone is prepared.
Works Cited htmlhttp:// 5.html ne/Radar_Courses/Radar_Course_III/landers_earthquake_sou th_california.htmhttp://earth.esa.int/applications/data_util/SARDOCS/spacebor ne/Radar_Courses/Radar_Course_III/landers_earthquake_sou th_california.htm htmlhttp://quake.usgs.gov/info/listen/combination.html 0.html
Acknowledgements: We would like to thank our instructors, Dr. Benson Shing, Bridget Smith, & Andreas Stavridis for teaching us about the structures during earthquakes and geophysics of earthquakes, Jon Deck and Allison Jacobs for helping us every step of the way, and our teacher fellow, Jerry Lederman, for always being there for us.