The Potential Effects of a Large Earthquake - Essay Example

The Impacts of Earthquake The potential effects of a large earthquake in the areas In order for Mr. Bubblegarten to move from his home area in Midwest there are several factors he should be aware of because all the three areas of his interest are frequently affected by earthquakes and tsunamis thus leading to disruption of many daily activities and developments. For our company to advise him well we shall discuss all the three locations he is interested in one by one. Hayward fault zone is geologic fault which is able to cause destructive earthquakes and is about 119KM long. It is located on the east side of San Francisco bay running through Fremont and 3700 perie lane, San José city. This fault lies parallel to san Andrea’s fault on the west side and to its east side is the Calaveras fault. In 2007 geologists discovered that Calaveras fault which is on the east of san Jose and Hayward fault where merging leading to the potential of creating a large magnitude earth quakes. Earthquake hazard mapping is mainly used in California in efforts to ensure that there is effective land use. There has been awareness on seismic safety to both public and private investors to prevent building or occupying areas with active faults. The first location we are discussing is 3700 Perie lane, San Jose which is near San Andrea’s faults. The information which is going to guide us in understanding better the area and its activities based on maps and geotechnical data from geological investigations, technical reports and reports from geological survey regarding earthquakes and liquefaction potential brought about by landslide zones. The stability of the 3700 Perie lane, San Jose is mainly affected by the material type, vegetation cover, inclination and moisture content. There are numerous types of landslides in the area of San Jose and the major one in this area is the rock slide, translational and rotational (Debris slide), earth slide, complex slides, earth slides, debris slides and rock fall. Different Zones along Perie |lane, San Jose are high influenced by either geological or soil conditions which have great impact on the development of the area. This city is well known as the most active in earthquakes and tsunamis by seismologist and geologist. Regular occurrence of Tsunamis along San Andrea Faults is associated with the crustal movement along the active fault zones. Moreover there are other small potential active faults which are shown in the San Jose Fault hazard maps. These potential and active faults are considered to be the major causes of strong seismic and rapture ground shaking. Ground shaking and seismic rapture is a great threat and concern across the field of influence for 3700 Perie lane, San Jose including the hillside and the floor of the valley. There are several features that influence liquefaction which include the geologic age of deposits of soil, soil cohesion, ground water level and the type of soil. #700 Perie Lane is one of the zones in san José which are high affected by liquefaction. Also deposits of marshland of northern part of San Jose have high probability of Liquefaction ( U.S Geological Survey, 2008). 3700 Perie lane, San Jose is subject to be influenced by one or more of the following hazards which will interfere with redevelopment or development of the area. These hazards are; ground rapture, Fault rupture, seismicity, and earthquake induced landslides, strong ground shaking and differential seismic compaction. It is not advisable for Mr. Bubblegarten to settle in the 3700 Perie lane, San Jose due to the numerous hazards associated with the area. The second location of interest to Mr. Bubblegarten is Willowbrook Drive in Portola valley. The following are brief description of the perspective of the area and the type of problems faced by the people who reside in that region in matters concerning use of land. There is a huge window opportunities which has been destroyed by tsunamis, landslides or earthquakes. Portola valley is located 45 kilometers south of San Francisco and is divided by San Andreas Fault zone. The lands on the east side of the fault are more stable than those on the west sides. San Andreas Fault traces and setback zones have stretched along Willowbrook drive. In regard to the fault lining zone in the area development has been carefully regulated. Transport was a major problem in Willowbrook because road system had to pass across the fault valley. Nowadays the valley has pathways and it is used as a wedding site. The area has good natural drainage and landscaping is done by use of native plants. The last Location we are discussing is the Fremont Bart Station in Fremont. BART is a bay area rapid transit station that operates in Fremont, California. In the area of Fremont, the Hayward fault zone is seen as a prominent structural element with numerous deformation of the surface which is so evident. Tectonic depressions, linear faults and pressure ridges describe the western fault trace. The area has also been highly affected by seismic creeps along the fault leading to displacement of artificial features. there many potentially active faults which have been discovered in Fremont and they include; Shannon faults, mission and silver creek and they act as a major source of occurrence of tsunamis in the future though currently the is inadequate data to confirm this. Bart is mainly affected by fault creep and fault rapture along the Hayward fault zone as well as shaking of the ground due to liquefaction and failure of ground phenomena in seasons of earthquakes and tsunamis. Other hazards which are affecting the development of this area are expansive and compressible soils. Generally, soil condition may have adverse effects in future causing catastrophic damage while on the other hand fault rapture may lead to destruction of the rail which are crossing eastern and western traces. In comparison of the three locations in interest to our customer, we shall advise him to settle at Fremont because it is less likely to be striked by earthquakes or tsunamis as compared to the other areas. Also the mode of transport is good and the area is well connected with other cities and it also has other areas for development. The city is also fitted with noise barriers by construction of sound mitigation levels. Work Cited California Geological Survey, 2008, “Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, Special Publication 117a, September 11, 2008. Read More