San Andreas Fault at Point Reyes

The 1906 earthquake caused more damage in San Francisco, but near Point Reyes, it generated the largest surface displacement ever recorded from an earthquake: 21 feet. The short Earthquake Trail leads from the parking lot near the Bear Valley Visitor Center to the spot shown above. Just before the big quake that shook San Francisco in April, 1906, this fence was continuous. Afterward, it had moved to where you see it now. More gradual movement along the fault moves the Point Reyes peninsula a little further north each year, separating it further from the Tehachapi Mountains (now 310 miles away) where it was once attached.

Find out more about visiting Point Reyes.