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Santa Rosa's past and future earthquakes

August 26, 2019

Santa Rosa is no stranger to earthquakes. This northern California city was damaged several times in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by shaking from earthquakes, culminating in the devastating earthquake of 1906, whose rupture passed 20 miles to the west of the city on the San Andreas Fault. Then in 1969, Santa Rosa was again strongly shaken and buildings were damaged by a pair of nearby, moderate-sized earthquakes on the Rodgers Creek Fault. Since then, scientists have learned how the underlying geology increases shaking damage in Santa Rosa, have mapped where the Rodgers Creek Fault runs beneath the city, and have discovered that this fault is capable of much larger earthquakes. Following the 1969 earthquakes, Santa Rosa rose to the challenge of improving seismic safety; however, continued progress is needed to increase seismic resilience and reduce the impact of future earthquakes.

Publication Year 2019
Title Santa Rosa's past and future earthquakes
DOI 10.3133/fs20193035
Authors Suzanne Hecker, Darcy K. McPhee, Victoria E. Langenheim, Janet T. Watt
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Fact Sheet
Series Number 2019-3035
Index ID fs20193035
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Earthquake Science Center
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