Hayward Fault
The Hayward Fault is around 119km long and runs along the base of the hills east of San Francisco Bay. It is a right-lateral strike-slip fault. It is considered the fault with the greatest near term risk of major earthquake and resulting damage in the Bay Area.
USGS Information on the Hayward Fault – A
USGS Information on the Hayward Fault – B
USGS Information on the Hayward Fault – C
California Department of Conservation Fact Sheet
UC Berkeley Seismology Lab Fact Sheet on the Hayward Fault
The largest quake on the Hayward Fault in recorded history occurred in1868, with an estimated M – 7.0. It was centered near the southern part of the fault near the then small town of Hayward, giving the fault its name.