Surface rupture of the 1992 Landers (M7.3, California)
rupture in the Mojave Desert. This view shows the southwest side
of the Stanford Hills along a small restraining bend in the Emerson fault.
There was about 4 to 5 meters of dextral motion here, based on the offset
of the channels shown. There is substantial vertical motion as well,
although part of the scarp's height is due to lateral offset of the topography,
not dip-slip motion.
The Landers earthquake was important scientifically but did not cause
all that much damage (considering its size), because the rupture occurred
primarily in a remote area. Shown here is some of the damage -a torqued
power line tower. Note the mole track below it, characteristic of
a strike-slip rupture that is slightly convergent.
BACK