STATE OF CALIFORNIA, RESOURCES AGENCY
EDMUND G. BROWN, JR., GOVERNOR
D
EPARTMENT OF
C
ONSERVATION
CALIFORNIA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
801 K STREET
MS 12-30
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95814
PHONE
916 / 445-1825
FAX
916 / 445-5718
TDD
916 / 324-2555
WEBSITE
conservation.ca.gov
The Department of Conservation’s mission is to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s challenges and foster intelligent,
sustainable, and efficient use
of California’s energy, land, and mineral resources.
January 12, 2012Mr. Arthur Leahy, CEOMetro1 Gateway PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90012Re: Clarification of California Geological Survey Fault EvaluationsDear Mr. Leahy:In the December 15, 2011 story on the Westside Subway Extension, the
L.A. Weekly
misunderstood written comments that the Public Affairs Office of the Department of
Conservation provided in response to a reporter’s inquiries about previous investigations
performed by the California Geological Survey (CGS).In 1978, when CGS made its initial assessment of the Santa Monica Fault for potentialinclusion in an Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone (then called a Special Studies Zone),there was no evidence discovere
d to demonstrate that the Santa Monica Fault was “active”.“Active” has specific connotations in this context, including that there is evidence of surface
faulting (surface rupture) within the past 10-12 thousand years. Without evidence of suchmovement, CGS could not place a zone on the fault. The absence of evidence of surfacefault rupture
does not mean the fault is “inactive”, only that there was no
substantive data atthat time supporting surface fault rupture within the past 10-12 thousand years.CGS took no position on the activity of the fault, only that there was not enough evidence toplace a zone on the fault. CGS is aware of more recent studies that indicate that the fault
may be “active” and capable of future surface
-rupturing earthquakes.The California Geological Survey has not yet evaluated the West Beverly Hills Lineamentand can make no comment on the activity of this interpreted zone of faults.CGS evaluation for the placement of Alquist-Priolo (A-P) zoning does not entail trenching bythe CGS
–
the California Geological Survey makes an independent assessment of availablegeological data and surface observations. Subsequent detailed studies for specificdevelopment proposals within an established A-P Zone usually include subsurfaceinvestigations (often trenching) performed by geologic consultants hired by the developer.
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