Mojave Shake EarthCache
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This cache is placed with permission of the Ridgecrest BLM office. Outdoor Recreation questions can be answered by calling (760) 384-5444. Please drive only on maintained roads. Please park at the listed coordinates and walk to WP2
The following information is not a copy and paste. This is information I have gathered from my years of living in the desert, my experience of living through the numerous earthquakes, and the research I have done over the years. I am not a scientist, nor a geologist. If you find errors or suggestions with this earthcache, please write to me. I would love to learn more.
1992 was a seismically active year for California. On April 23, the Joshua Tree area of Southern California was rattled by a modest 6.1 magnitude earthquake. No surprise to desert dwellers. 2 days later, the northern California area of Petrolia was shaken by a 7.2 earthquake off the coast of Cape Mendocino. While this is a significant event, it is no surprise given the fact a spectacular fault system known as the "Mendocino tri-junction" lies in the coast off California. If these 2 earthquakes had come and passed, no one in California would have been surprised.
Then on June 28, 1992 at 4:53 in the morning, the behemoth Landers earthquake shook the desert with a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. This event left a noticeable scar stretching 80 kilometers across the desert. In some areas, the offset along the scar measured 6 meters. Both vertically and horizontally. About 3 hours later, another earthquake shook the mountain community of Big Bear with a 6.5 magnitude temblor. Both quakes caused significant damage, but the death toll was only one person killed by a chimney collapse. The Landers event was significant because the event occurred along more than one fault. In fact, there were up to five faults to have ruptured during the earthquake. Many folks held their breath as the Landers/Big Bear events flirted dangerously close with the San Andreas fault. Yet as days passed, the San Andreas sat quietly by.
The following day, June 29th, the Little Skull mountain area of Nevada was shaken by a magnitude 5.7 earthquake. It is believed to be related to the Landers/Big Bear event.
The area this earthcache takes you to is yet another event related to the Landers/Big Bear earthquake. This spot is the epicenter of the Mojave earthquake that occurred on July 11, 1992. This 5.7 magnitude quake shook the town of Mojave as well as several neighboring communities. I was living in Mojave at the time and remember the harsh shaking that occurred from such a moderate event.
One important thing to remember concerning the magnitude is each whole number in increase represents a tenfold increase. In other words, a 6.0 earthquake is ten times larger than a 5.0 event. This does not mean the shaking will be 10 times larger. If that was the case, an 8.0 event would launch us into orbit. Higher magnitudes mean the hardest shaking will occur over a much larger area. This is when the most significant damage would happen.
Now that you are a little more familiar with the fault behavior of the desert, I would like to know some things about your visit to this area. Please email me your answers after you have visited. If you are not sure, email me your best guess. This is all about learning.
1. Do you notice any significant difference between this area and the surrounding areas because of the 1992 Mojave event? If so, what differences are there.
2. As you look at the mountains north of the area, you are looking at the Garlock fault which is the responsible fault for this earthquake. Do you see other signs from earthquakes in times past?
3. I have attached a related PDF website near the top of this page. While you don't necessarily need to read it, why do you think the Mojave desert has so much seismic activity?
Thank you for taking the time to visit this earthcache.
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