Data show fault-based seismic sources used in the time-independent component of the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast, Version 3 (UCERF3), which provides authoritative estimates of the magnitude, location, and time-averaged frequency of potentially damaging earthquakes in California. Fault model slip rates are given in millimeters per year. The shapefile depicts the surface traces of modeled faults, which are simplified from the CGS – USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold database (https://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/qfaults/). For modeled blind fault seismic sources, the traces represent the map-view fault tip projection of the subsurface fault. For additional information regarding modeled faults in UCERF3 please refer to Appendix A of the UCERF3 report (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1165/). For additional information about UCERF3 please see http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/rghm/psha/Pages/sr_228.aspx for the full UCERF3 publication and supporting products.

Epicenters of known M≥5 earthquakes from 1769 to 2016 are shown for California and a 100 km area bordering the state. Earthquakes are grouped by: M = 5-6; M = 6-7; M = 7+.

This dataset represents simplified geologic units that have been correlated to the time-averaged seismic shear-wave velocity in the upper 30 meters of the earth’s surface (Vs30). The geologic units were compiled from published maps that range in scale from 1:250,000 to 1:24,000, along with a system for subdividing younger alluvium based on surface slope. More information can be obtained from the associated article published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America: Wills, C.J., Gutierrez, C.I., Perez, F.G., and Branum, D.B., 2015, A next-generation Vs30 map for California based on geology and topography: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.

The California Geological Survey published maps of “Earthquake Shaking Potential for California” in 1999 and has revised the maps following each update of the National Seismic Hazard Maps (NSHM). Similar to the NSHMs, the Earthquake Shaking Potential Maps for California depict expected intermediate period (1s or 1hz) ground motions with 2% exceedance probability in 50 years. Unlike the NSHMs, Earthquake Shaking Potential Map for California incorporates anticipated amplification of ground motions by local soil conditions. The current update of the Earthquake Shaking Potential Map for California (California Geological Survey Map Sheet 48) is based on the 2014 NSHMs developed by the United States Geological Survey (Petersen et al., 2014), a new map of the average shear wave velocity in the upper 30m of the earth’s surface for California (Wills et al., 2015), and a new semi-empirical nonlinear site amplification model (Seyhan and Stewart, 2014).

"Annualized Earthquake Losses (AEL) are economic losses from earthquake shaking-related building damage. These data use the most recent National Seismic Hazard Maps (the years 2008 and 2014 cycles), updated census data on population, and economic exposure estimates of general building stock to quantify annualized earthquake loss (AEL) for the conterminous United States. The AEL analyses were performed using the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazus software, which facilitated a systematic comparison of the influence of the 2014 National Seismic Hazard Maps in terms of annualized loss estimates in different parts of the country. These data do not include losses from ground-failure effects such as landslide, liquefaction, surface fault rupture, or losses due to other secondary effects such as fires following earthquakes. Building economic losses are direct economic losses including structural damage, non-structural damage, and content damage; as well as building damage-related economic losses, such as inventory loss, relocation cost, loss of proprietors’ income, and rental income loss. These do not include losses associated with business interruption. Replacement costs and loss valuations are based on 2014 dollars."