Hello everyone! I am Karen Rodriguez, a student map assistant at the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections. For the past year and a half, I had the joy of working behind the scenes sorting, researching, and showcasing maps as part of our monthly exhibits.
As I wrapped up my time here and prepared to graduate, I wanted to share my research that I have been working on all year in a visual, accessible way that invites people into the fascinating world of earthquakes. As I move onward on my academic path I will always look at people and their relationship to the earth as a cornerstone for my research.
Quake It 'Til You Make It
Living in the Bay Area means living with earthquakes. Beneath the beauty of its rolling hills, busy cities, and world-renowned innovation runs a network of active faults that can shift at any moment. The three most well-known are the San Andreas, Hayward, and Calaveras faults. Each one is capable of producing damaging earthquakes, and millions of people live, work, and commute directly above them.
The Hayward fault and Calaveras fault are part of the same fault system that runs along the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay. Together, they present one of the most serious seismic threats in Northern California. The Hayward Fault cuts through highly urbanized areas including Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, and San Jose. Major institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and California State University, East Bay sit directly on top of it. The Calaveras Fault continues south from the Hayward system, regularly producing smaller earthquakes and influencing stress along the broader fault network. These faults run beneath homes, hospitals, schools, BART lines, and critical water and power infrastructure. A large quake on either fault could cause severe regional disruption.
The San Andreas Fault, responsible for the infamous 1906 San Francisco earthquake, also poses a major hazard. It runs along the western edge of the Bay Area and passes close to key infrastructure and communities. At Stanford, the 1906 quake caused severe damage to the Main Quad and Memorial Church, toppling arches and collapsing sandstone structures. You can explore photographs from that time revealing the scale of destruction that is a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability in Stanford’s commemorative earthquake exhibit.
Despite the risk, many people still do not have a plan. That is why seismologists and emergency planners urge Bay Area residents to take earthquakes seriously. Simple steps like securing heavy furniture, preparing a go-bag, and knowing where to shelter during shaking can make a big difference.
Researchers are constantly working to improve early warning systems and understand fault behavior. But no amount of science can stop a quake once it starts. The good news? Being prepared can help you and your community bounce back more quickly.
In a region built on innovation and resilience, planning ahead is not just smart, it’s essential.
See more on earthquake preparedness on the official United States government's website, Ready.
Karen Rodriguez, Class of 2025, worked at Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections as a student map assistant during the 2024 and 2025 school years.