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Studying Fault Zones with Trenches

From Andrew Alden, About.com

Paleoseismic trenching studies are the best way to learn about the prehistoric earthquakes that have affected a fault zone. Here are some different examples from the San Francisco Bay area, where hundreds of trenches have been dug and documented.

Read more about how trenching studies have informed us about the prehistory of the Hayward fault.

Images 1-11 of 11

The scenePaleoseismic Trench on the Green Valley FaultGetting closerMouth of a Paleoseismic TrenchBraces and a gridPaleoseismic Trench CloseupMarking and sprayingLogging the Trench Walls
Marking for visibilityScribing the Trench WallsThis is NOT charcoalLooking for Datable MaterialConverted to digital formA Trench Photo CompositeHow the data is recordedTrench Data Log Closeup
The last step for nowFinishing a Paleoseismic Trench StudyFaults in an exhibitionPaleoseismic Pit ExhibitGet to know your local faultsAnnotated Fault Pit
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