U.S. Quaternary fault and fold database released

Abstract

A comprehensive online compilation of Quaternary‐age faults and folds throughout the United States was recently released by the U.S. Geological Survey with cooperation from state geological surveys, academia, and the private sector.The Web site (http://Qfaults. cr.usgs.gov/) contains searchable databases and related geo‐spatial data that characterize earthquake‐related structures that could be potential seismic sources for large‐magnitude (M>6) earthquakes.This is the first nationwide compilation to provide current, comprehensive, geologically based information on known or suspected active faults. The Web site features a visual depiction of spatial and temporal patterns of faulting at local, regional, and national scales. Comprehensive written descriptions based on published data are presented in a uniform format for nearly 2000 faults nationwide. The database will be of interest to the seismological, geodetic, paleoseismic, and the ever‐growing seismic hazard assessment communities, as well as emergency managers, the insurance industry earthquake engineers, public officials, and developers. The Web site features a user‐friendly interface and supports user‐defined, downloadable geographic information system (GIS) data.