{"id":4336,"date":"2016-07-04T00:00:47","date_gmt":"2016-07-04T07:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetrailmaster.com\/?p=4336"},"modified":"2022-11-14T10:06:22","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T18:06:22","slug":"point-reyes-all-about-earthquakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetrailmaster.com\/trails\/point-reyes-all-about-earthquakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Point Reyes: All About Earthquakes"},"content":{"rendered":"
Earthquake Trail uses old photographs and other displays to explain the seismic forces unleashed by the great 1906 San Francisco earthquake. This well-done and entertaining geology lesson is particularly relevant because most of the land west of the San Andreas Fault Zone is within boundaries of Point Reyes National Seashore.<\/p>\n
Plates forming the earth\u2019s crust do not always creep quietly past each other. In 1906 they clashed violently, and the result was California\u2019s worst natural disaster. During the great quake, Point Reyes was shoved 16.4 feet to the northwest. A cow barn, located near the park rangers\u2019 headquarters, was ripped in two. A corner of the barn stayed on the foundation and the rest was carried sixteen feet away.<\/p>\n
The San Andreas Fault is long (780 miles), narrow (one mile) and deep (20 miles). For obvious reasons, the fault is much-studied by scientists and as a result much research is available to share with the public. Surely a hike along Earthquake Trail is one of the most interesting ways to learn more about this great maker and shaker of continents.<\/p>\n
Paved and fully accessible for all visitors, the nearly flat trail is an engaging experience for all ages. On this memorable nature trail view creeks and fences that were rearranged by the 1906 quake.<\/p>\n
And Earthquake Trail is more than an earth science lesson. The path also offers a friendly intro to the parkland\u2019s meadow and woodland communities. Even the most time-pressed\u00a0 tourist will enjoy walking the trail.<\/p>\n
Bear Valley Visitor Center is located just outside the town of Olema, 35 slow and curving miles north of San Francisco on Highway 1. A quicker route is by Highway 101, exiting on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and traveling 20 miles to Olema. Turn right on Coast Highway 1, proceed 0.1 mile, then turn left on Bear Valley Road, which leads 0.4 mile to parking for the Point Reyes National Seashore Visitor Center. Earthquake Trail begins at the southeast corner of the Bear Valley Picnic Area, right across the road from the Bear Valley Visitor Center.<\/p>\n