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It was 19 years ago this week that the earth shook so violently under the Bay Area that portions of the Bay Bridge and Interstate 880 fell down. Sixty-three people died.
The 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake was a stark reminder that we live in earthquake country. While many Californians would rather not think about the possibility of another major quake, we are surrounded by active faults. One East Bay fault has scientists especially concerned.
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Piece Description
It was 19 years ago this week that the earth shook so violently under the Bay Area that portions of the Bay Bridge and Interstate 880 fell down. Sixty-three people died. The 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake was a stark reminder that we live in earthquake country. While many Californians would rather not think about the possibility of another major quake, we are surrounded by active faults. One East Bay fault has scientists especially concerned.
Broadcast History
This piece aired twice during B segment of Morning edition, locally, on KQED and KQEI, 10.13.08.
Transcript
Geologists tend to be among the most reserved of scientists. But when they talk about the Hayward Fault they do so in almost apocalyptic terms:
ZOBACK: Because the Hayward fault is sitting right in the middle of where people live and all our major lifelines this really, probably is one of the most dangerous faults in the country :10
That's Mary Lou Zoback. She is principal research scientist for Risk Management Solutions a Newark company that studies the costs of disasters.
BART sound..
The Hayward Fault runs 40 miles through some of the most densely populated areas in the U.S.. More than 2 million people live in the east bay.
BART ANNOUNCER: "nine car Fremont train now boarding at Platform one."
On it's way from San Pablo Bay south to Fremont, the fault passes under the UC Berkeley football stadium, trauma centers, major gas lines and BART routes.
ZOBACK: They hav...
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Timing and Cues
SUGGESTED HOST INTRO:
It was 19 years ago this week that the earth shook so violently under the Bay Area that portions of the Bay Bridge and Interstate 880 fell down. Sixty-three people died.
The 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake was a stark reminder that we live in earthquake country. While many Californians would rather not think about the possibility of another major quake, we are surrounded by active faults. And as Andrea Kissack reports from KQED in San Francisco, one East Bay fault has scientists especially concerned.
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