Study envisions major San Francisco Bay Area earthquake
Scientists, emergency managers and others have released a study describing plausible impacts from a hypothetical magnitude 7 earthquake on the Hayward fault, which has long been considered a major threat to the San Francisco Bay region.
The scenario – called “HayWired” – was released Wednesday, the 112th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
It’s intended as a guide for residents and policymakers on earthquake-risk reduction
The scenario envisions the epicenter under the East Bay city of Oakland and a rupture extending along 52 miles (84 kilometers) of the fault.
Impacts include 800 deaths, 18,000 injuries, building collapses, raging fires and property and direct business losses topping $82 billion.
Damage from the main shock and factors such as fires and utility outages could displace about 411,000 people.