The land on which we stand is nothing more than “plates” which moves around the world. Earthquakes are the result of two plates moving against each other. With 23 major plates in the world you can imagine that there are more than a few earthquakes each day. Most are so small that humans don’t notice them. Some, however, are large enough to topple buildings.
Near the posted coordinates you will find a fault line which is where two plates have come together. Here is where you can see the evidence of the great quake of 1906 and can begin to understand its great power. At some points the two plates moved as much as 21 feet during the earthquake! Geologists believe that the total displacement along this fault is at least 350 miles over the last 15-20 million years. (USGS)
You will find the answers to some of the below questions at the site itself. Other questions you might have to do some research. (I recommend the US Geological Survey’s website www.usgs.gov).
Questions:
1) What is the name of the fault?
2) How many feet does did the 1906 earthquake cause the land to be displaced? Based on what you can see, how accurate is this statement?
3) What kind of fault is this?
4) What two plates meet here?
E-mail me the answers to the questions when you log the cache.
Optional:Take your picture at the site with your GPS and post it with your log.Please do not include the stone marker in your pictures that are posted.
