Poster #021, San Andreas Fault System (SAFS)
Trona-Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence and Fault Complex, San Bernardino County
Poster Image:
Poster Presentation
2020 SCEC Annual Meeting, Poster #021, SCEC Contribution #10684 VIEW PDF
ess to primary surface fault rupture on the NAWS base was restricted primarily to federal and state geologists. San Bernardino County personnel focused on mapping primary fault ruptures and secondary ground shaking, liquefaction, and landslide deformations within portions of the county, outside of NAWS. Damage in Trona and the West Searles Valley, including Searles Dry Lake, was particularly severe. UNAVCO recorded maximum GPS displacements near West End.
Mapping of surface ruptures confirmed the presence of east- and northeast-striking primary faults in the communities of Trona, Argus, Panorama Point, and Windy Acres, as well as at the Pinnacles. Additional northwest-striking fault ruptures have been mapped in the western Searles Valley associated with the “West Searles Valley” Fault Zone and along the “Miles” Fault at West End. Evidence of younger, additional surface fault rupture associated with the MW5.5 Spangler Hills aftershock was documented in the area near the Trona Railroad in West Searles Valley.
Primary fault ruptures were GPS mapped in Trona and the western Searles Valley based on review of phase gradient radar imagery provided by UCSD Institute of Geophysical & Planetary Physics and interferometry provided by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Mapping identified 17 previously unmapped, en echelon surface traces extending up to 2 kilometers in length. Apparent senses of rupture are left-oblique along northeast-striking faults and right-oblique along northwest-striking faults. The ruptures display up to 4 cm of horizontal and vertical offsets. The faults display continued creep movement consistent with primary faulting. Mapping of these fault ruptures will result in new Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones and/or County Fault Hazard Zones.
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Mapping of surface ruptures confirmed the presence of east- and northeast-striking primary faults in the communities of Trona, Argus, Panorama Point, and Windy Acres, as well as at the Pinnacles. Additional northwest-striking fault ruptures have been mapped in the western Searles Valley associated with the “West Searles Valley” Fault Zone and along the “Miles” Fault at West End. Evidence of younger, additional surface fault rupture associated with the MW5.5 Spangler Hills aftershock was documented in the area near the Trona Railroad in West Searles Valley.
Primary fault ruptures were GPS mapped in Trona and the western Searles Valley based on review of phase gradient radar imagery provided by UCSD Institute of Geophysical & Planetary Physics and interferometry provided by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Mapping identified 17 previously unmapped, en echelon surface traces extending up to 2 kilometers in length. Apparent senses of rupture are left-oblique along northeast-striking faults and right-oblique along northwest-striking faults. The ruptures display up to 4 cm of horizontal and vertical offsets. The faults display continued creep movement consistent with primary faulting. Mapping of these fault ruptures will result in new Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones and/or County Fault Hazard Zones.
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Citation: Jordan, Jr., F. F., Wagner, M. H., & Cato, K. (2020, 08). Trona-Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence and Fault Complex, San Bernardino County. Poster Presentation at 2020 SCEC Annual Meeting.
Keywords: Trona, Ridgecrest, Earthquakes, Paxton Ranch Fault, Salt Wells Valley Fault, Zonation
