The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 — Hydrologic disturbances
Professional Paper
1551-E
Prepared in cooperation with the National Science Foundation
Edited by: Stuart A. Rojstaczer
Links
- More information: USGS Index Page (html)
- Larger Work: This publication is Chapter E of The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989: Strong ground motion and ground failure
- NGMDB Index Page: National Geologic Map Database Index Page (html)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Seismic events have long been known to cause changes in the level of oceans, streams, lakes, and the water table. The great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 induced significant hydrologic changes that were qualitatively similar to those changes observed for the Loma Prieta earthquake. What is different is that the hydrologic data sets collected from the Loma Prieta event have enough detail to enable hypotheses on the causes for these changes to be tested. The papers in this chapter document changes in ocean level, stream morphology and flow, water table height, and ground-water flow rates in response to the earthquake. Although hydrologic disturbances may have occurred about 1 hour before the main shock, the papers in this chapter deal strictly with postevent hydrologic changes. The hydrologic responses reported here reflect changes that are not the result of surface rupture. They appear to be the result of landslides, the static displacements induced by the earthquake, and changes in the permeability of the near surface.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989 — Hydrologic disturbances |
| Series title | Professional Paper |
| Series number | 1551 |
| Chapter | E |
| DOI | 10.3133/pp1551E |
| Year Published | 1994 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Earthquake Hazards Program, Earthquake Science Center |
| Description | 66 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Report |
| Larger Work Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Larger Work Title | The Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake of October 17, 1989: Strong ground motion and ground failure |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |