New fault discovery in California could burst dam

June 26, 2011 rockman Geologic Hazards Comments Off on New fault discovery in California could burst dam
Martis Creek Dam near Truckee, CA. The dam is at risk from the newly discovered Polaris Fault.

Martis Creek Dam near Truckee, CA. The dam is at risk from the newly discovered Polaris Fault.

The Martis Creek Dam is just outside of the town of Truckee California with a population of 16,000 people, but it is also upstream about 35 miles from Reno, Nevada the gambling town with a population of around 220,000. A newly discovered fault that crosses under the dam could potentially produce a 6.9 magnitude earthquake and potentially cause a failure of the structure. The fault was discovered from aerial LIDAR imagery analysis and confirmed and dated with paleoseismic trenching work done along various glacial terraces. [Source: Mail Online via AGC SmartBrief. Image: USACE via Mail Online]

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