San Andreas Fault at Wallace Creek and Parkfield, CA

Saturday 7:00am-7:00pm Bus Loading Zone

Leaders

Sinan Akciz, California State University-Fullerton
Brian Olson, California Geological Survey
Julian Lozos, California State University-Northridge

Wallace Creek, located along the Carrizo section of the San Andreas Fault, is the classic site where offset channels have first been recognized and utilized for determining dates and magnitudes of past earthquakes, as well their timing. During this portion of the trip, will look at offset and beheaded channels and review our present day understanding of the earthquake history along this section of the San Andreas Fault. Participants will have the option to make offset measurements on abandoned channels. A trip this far from Pasadena could not be complete if the town of Parkfield is not visited. Here, we will show evidence of a fault creep and talk about its implications. After the completion of the field activities at both locations, participants will have a clearer understanding of geomorphological expressions of strike-slip faults with different rupture behaviors and get familiar with different methods of collecting paleoseismic data that contribute to the calculation seismic hazard.

Space is limited to the first 24 participants to register. Registration for this field trip is available on the general Earth Educators' Rendezvous registration form. The cost for this field trip is $110 and includes transportation and a boxed lunch. The field trip runs between 7am and 7pm.

Logistics

  • Departure: Participants should meet at 7am for departure. Meeting location TBA, but will be near PCC and Caltech
  • Return: Shuttles will arrive back in Pasadena by 7:00pm.
  • Releases: All participants will need to sign liability releases.
  • Attire: Wear comfortable hot-weather clothing, hiking footwear, and a hat. Bring water, and sunscreen.

Tentative Itinerary

  • The field trip will take place at Wallace Creek located within the Carrizo National Monument and Parkfield. More information to follow.

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