The Fremont Earthquake Exhibit
on the Hayward Fault

The Hayward Fault is a major fault of concern in the East Bay.  It has been considered the most dangerous area for a possible major seismic event by the U.S. Geological Survey.  There is a one in three chance of a major earthquake of 6.8 or greater on the Hayward Fault within the next 30 years.   The last major quake in this area was on October 21, 1868, with a magnitude of 7.0, which ripped almost a continuous shear of about 6 feet from Milpitas to Oakland.

The City of Fremont was incorporated in 1956.  Unknowingly they built their first building, the Fremont Community Center on the Hayward Fault.  Within 10 years they noticed that the floor was cracking.  They first thought that it was only due to poor construction but then they realized there was an offset to a set of cracks.  After 10 years they had to close this area to the public, closing down a Children’s Theater.   Over the years it has grown into a 1-2 inches of offset.

The Math Science Nucleus in collaboration with the City of Fremont and the U.S. Geological Survey have created a “Faulted Floor” exhibit to be part of a general earthquake trail tour throughout Central Park.  There are currently two tours.  One through Fremont Recreation Department that includes a walk through Central Park (click here for more information) and a more scientific and longer walk  from Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon to the exhibit showing natural earthquake features (sag ponds, fault scarps) and urban features (offset curbs, moving of asphalt, compression ridges) in Central Park (contact Math Science Nucleus  msn@msnucleus to arrange dates).  Both include the "Faulted Floor." 

This City of Fremont walled off 600 square feet including walls to help us dramatize the science of earthquakes.  The facility will be used for field trips for K-college by the Math Science Nucleus.  The City of Fremont will also use the area when there are events in the park so people can look at the exhibit to learn the science behind earthquakes as well as learn about earthquake preparedness.  Volunteers and staff from the Math Science Nucleus will conduct the tours.

the U. S. Geological Survey to create a large map of the East Bay.  Visitors will be able to locate their house in relationship to the fault while stepping over the “crack.”

contact Joyce Blueford if interested (blueford@msnucleus.org)
crack before exhibit lines showing movement since 1972





















A project of
Math Science Nucleus
The City of Fremont
and U.S. Geological Survey


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Any questions please email us at msn@msnucleus.org

MATH SCIENCE NUCLEUS since 1982 has served the education and public by offering quality science and math lessons that take our children learn critical thinking skills. We manage the Children's Natural History Museum and Tule Ponds at Tyson Lagoon Wetland Center. http://msnucleus.org.
     Math Science Nucleus received partial funding from PGE for the Faulted Floor Exhibit.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY is a government agency that Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment.  They provide the posters and map for the Faulted Floor Exhibit.  http://usgs.gov

[Earthquake]