Earthquakes and Volcanoes periodical

U.S. Geological Survey

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Earthquakes and Volcanoes was published bimonthly by the U.S. Geological Survey to provide current information on earthquakes and seismology, volcanoes, and related natural hazards of interest to both generalized and specialized readers.

The Secretary of the Interior determined that the publication of this periodical was necessary in the transaction of the public business required by law of this Department. Use of funds for printing this periodical was approved by the Office of Management and Budget through June 30, 1989

Volume 20, number 2 (1988) is devoted entirely to the subject of the Parkfield earthquake experiment in central California. In this area of California, near the small town of Parkfield, the San Andreas fault is expected to rupture before 1993 from an earthquake of approximately magnitude 6-- a significant shock. The articles in this report are arranged to cover the Parkfield story, both an earthquake prediction and a major scientific study, in a particular way-- first introducing the idea of regularly occurring significant earthquakes in the Parkfield Area, the Federal role in such earthquake predictions, the specific instrumentation at Parkfield, the scientific goals of the experiment, the USGS prediction plan, and the State response to the prediction. Because each article builds on the preceding articles, this issue is best read from the beginning. [from Editor's Note]

Due to the earthquakes there in October, 2004, this volume has become of greater interest once more so it was scanned and put online here.

cover of the periodical showing a map of California with a bull's-eye at Parkfield, south of San Jose

The articles in this Parkfield volume consist of:

Introduction, by William H. Bakun

History of Significant Earthquakes in the Parkfield Area, by William H. Bakun

Historical Vignettes of the 1881, 1901, 1922, 1934, and 1966 Parkfield Earthquakes, by Donalee Thomason

The Role of the Federal Government in the Parkfield Earthquake Prediction Experiment, by John R. Filson

Geophysical Instrumentation near Parkfield, by William H. Bakun

Ground Shaking and Engineering Studies on the Parkfield Section of the San Andreas Fault Zone, by Roger W. Sherburne.

Scientific Goals of the Parkfield Earthquake Prediction Experiment, by Wayne Thatcher

The USGS Plan for Short-Term Prediction of the Anticipated Parkfield Earthquake, by William H. Bakun

State Public Policy Issues Involved with the Parkfield Prediction Experiment, by Richard Andrews and James Goltz