Politics & Government

Are You in an Earthquake Zone?

New US Geological Survey online maps show that Mill Valley falls outside of an immediate danger zone, but is quite close to the San Andreas Fault.

We all know we live in an earthquake-prone area. Chances are if you went to elementary school anywhere in Marin, you made a field trip out to look at the famous 'earthquake fence' near Olema, where the 1906 earthquake created a 20-foot gap.

That San Andreas fault is watched by many in the Bay Area, because of the chance it has of producing a larger earthquake within the next 30 years.

But just how worried do we need to be about an earthquake in Mill Valley itself?

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

It turns out, according to new online maps from the California Geological Survey, not too worried. 

For the first time ever, the California Geological Survey has posted online maps of earthquake zones and faults. The maps are available here. (Maps previously were not available online.) The new technology also allows residents to enter their address and find out if they're in a danger zone. Addresses within the 94941 zip code are not within a danger zone.

Find out what's happening in Mill Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The closest fault to us is the Bolinas Quadrangle, where the San Andreas Fault runs through Bolinas, along the Bolinas Lagoon, and into the water.

That doesn't mean we're out of the woods, so to speak. Even the  earlier last month was felt here. So if we get hit by a bigger one, the only question is: are you ready?

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