Geology professor to lead hike to San Andreas fault

In conjunction with the statewide “Great California ShakeOut” earthquake drill scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17, a Cal State San Bernardino professor is going right to the source.

CSUSB geology professor Joan Fryxell will lead a hike to a section of the San Andreas fault north of the campus. The hike, which is approximately one mile for the round trip, will cover dirt trails and paved roads.

“Our goal is to be standing on the fault trace at the time of the ‘virtual earthquake,’ which is scheduled for 10:17 a.m.,” Fryxell said.

The group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the north side of CSUSB’s Biology building and walk to the fault. There is no cost to participate, and the event is open to the public. Parking at the university is $5.

The purpose of the ShakeOut is to encourage people and organizations to be prepared to survive and recover when the next big earthquake happens. More than 9 million people are expected to participate in the 2013 Great California ShakeOut.

Officials estimate that a large-magnitude earthquake will sever local access to water, electricity, gas, fiber-optics, telecommunications, roads and railways, and that there will be extensive damage throughout the region. The drill is intended to increase awareness about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

The San Andreas fault is the boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. It is an active, right-lateral strike-slip fault.

“This segment probably ruptured most recently in 1812, suggesting that approximately three meters of strain is stored at present,” Fryxell said. “Most plate boundaries are located offshore, so having one close to campus is an unusually accessible opportunity.”

The earthquake drill also serves as a reminder for organizations and individuals to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies, and to secure any furnishings, fixtures and items at home and other locations to prevent damage and injuries.

Cal State San Bernardino students, faculty and staff have been reminded to update their university contact information to include mobile numbers so they can be alerted through text and voice messages during a campus emergency situation.

More information about the event can be found at the Great California ShakeOut website.

See also "CSUSB to participate in Great California Shakeout earthquake drill."

For more information, contact Joan Fryxell at (909) 537-5311 or jfryxell@csusb.edu. For more information about CSUSB, contact the university’s Office of Public Affairs at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.