Get Closer to the San Andreas

If you took part in the big ShakeOut earthquake drill yesterday and were underwhelmed, like some of my friends, because all you did was crouch under the desk for a minute, try something more fun: take a drive and visit the San Andreas fault near you. I've just updated my photo tour of the central segment with shots from Cajon Pass through Wrightwood, California. I drove through there a few weeks ago on a gorgeous autumn morning, part of my project to visit every part of the fault. The central segment, which extends from Cajon Pass to Parkfield, ripped apart from end to end on the morning of January 9, 1857.

During that same trip I stopped in at Parkfield and had lunch (an expertly made burger) at the Parkfield Inn. Afterward I stuck a dollar bill to the wall, with my card, right next to that of seismologist Susan Hough. Periodically the money is collected and sent somewhere useful, like disaster relief. This weekend marks the end of the art installation at Parkfield, the Parkfield Interventional EQ Fieldwork, that I mentioned here and here—and today I put up some photos and notes from my visit here. If you're up for a free weird-o party of artists, geologists and ranchers on a moonlit Saturday night (and I know I am), get directions on the Fieldwork's Web site. It includes a rare performance of Andy Michael's Earthquake Quartet as well as appearances by people from the notorious Survival Research Labs. Sing along with me: "Aa-oooh, werewolves of Menlo..."

Lone Pine Canyon (top) and PIEQF (bottom) — Geology Guide photos