Site Report
Property Location
3124 W Garfield Street
San Bernardino, CA 9240
Seismic Hazard
The property is located in San Bernardino which sits on the San Andreas Fault along California. The fault line is a region that stretches along the boundaries of the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate. The line cuts across California from the border of the U.S with Mexico to the Cape Mendocino region. The line divides the region into towns that sit on the North American Plate such as Sacramento and San Francisco, and towns on the Pacific Plate such as Los Angeles and San Diego. The fault line does not cut across California, thus making most of the properties in the city safe. However, communities such as San Bernardino, Palmdale, and Desert Hot Springs lie on the active fault line, thus at risk of seismic activities. The fault line is an example of a transform fault, where two plates move past each other slowly, at approximately 1.3 inches yearly (Lynch, n.d.). Along the fault is a fracture zone, where this property sits. The fracture zone is a dangerous area because the plates do not slide past each other steadily and smoothly. At some point, the plates become steady for several years with no movement. During this period, the plates push against each other, thus building up the strain. When they slip in a sudden motion, seismic waves are created, resulting in tremors and earthquakes. The tremors and earthquakes are a hazard to this property. It may lead to minor damages such as broken windows.
Rock Falls and Rock Slides
The property sits approximately 400 feet from the starting point of the San Bernardino Mountains’ elevation (Google Maps, 2021). The San Bernardino quadrangle has well defined pre-quaternary rocks that form the basement of the region, but still possess loose rocks on the mountain ranges that have been formed from the past volcanic activities and the crumbling along the fault line. Tremors along the fault line dislodge the rocks making them a potential hazard to properties on the lower end of San Bernardino. With the mountains' elevation reaching 10,649 feet, rocks from this height pose an extreme danger.
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Landslides
The average rainfall in San Bernardino is relatively low at 13 inches of rain per year, compared to the U.S yearly average of 38 inches. However, the month of February is relatively wet, recording 3.2 inches of rain. There is a risk of tremors from the fault line coinciding with the wettest month of San Bernardino, leading to landslides from the San Bernardino Mountains. With the property sitting at just 400 feet from the mountain foot, the risk of property damage from landslides is inevitable (Matti & Morton, 2000, p. 14).
Fire Hazard
The property is also at risk of fire by sitting along the San Andreas Fault line. Tremors and earthquakes dislodge gas lines and cause damage to electrical connections. Leakages from the gases and sparks from the electrical connections provide a high risk of fires that may destroy the property.
There is also a risk of wildland fires due to the property being located approximately 400 feet from the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains which also host the Rim Forest. The Rim Forest receives very minimal precipitation, an average of 13 inches per year, with August and September remaining completely dry. The dry months are prone to wildfires and the proximity of the property subjects it to natural fire risks.
Mining Activities
The property also sits close to various mining activities, such as the Osha Mining and Tunneling, which sits 9.2 miles away (Google Maps, 2021). Even though the mining activities are regulated and pose a minimal direct danger, blasting, and detonation activities are likely to release strained rocks along the fault line. This increases the probability of tremors that pose danger to the property.
Summary Report
Seismic Zone
The property is located in a seismic hazard zone area. It is prone to be affected directly or indirectly by earth tremors and earthquakes. The severity of this risk is very high.
Fire Hazard
The property sits in a fire hazard zone. The fires may arise from tremors and earthquakes or as a result of wildfires from the Rim Forest in the San Bernardino Mountains. The severity of the risk is high.
Rock Falls and Land Slides.
The property sits 400 feet from San Bernardino Mountains which are prone to seismic activities and also get adequate rainfall in February. This poses a risk of rockfalls and landslides. The severity level is high.
Mining Operations
The property sits in a region with high mining activities. Mining sites such as Osha Mining and Tunneling are just 9.2 miles away. Even though the distance is above one mile, the activities may trigger tremors and earthquakes along the fault line, thus increasing their probability of occurrence. The severity level of this hazard is low.
Conclusion
Due to the high risks associated with seismic activities, fire hazards, rock falls, and landslides, the property is prone to imminent destruction from natural hazards that are not covered in insurance provisions. This report does not recommend the acquisition of the property.
References
Google Maps. (2021). 3124 W Garfield Street, San Bernardino . Retrieved January 23, 2021, from https://www.google.com/maps/search/san+N+BERNARDINO,+CA+3124+W+Garfield+St,+San+Bernardino,+CA+9240/@34.2116524,-117.3608891,925m/data=!3m1!1e3
Lynch, D. K. (n.d.). San Andreas Fault Line - Fault zone map and photos . Geology and Earth Science News. Retrieved January 23, 2021, from https://geology.com/articles/san-andreas-fault.shtml
Matti, J. C., & Morton, D. M. (2000). Geology of the San Bernardino National Forest . U.S Geological Survey. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5207093.pdf
