Real Estate Articles

Seismic Hazard Maps are Now Online

Anyone can now go online to the Web site of the California Geological Survey to view and download maps that show areas in the Peninsula that are prone to liquefaction or landslides during an earthquake. Maps of Los Gatos, Palo Alto, Mountain View, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Redwood City are now available. The maps are valuable for homeowners, Realtors and developers since they disclose whether a neighborhood is considered hazardous in an earthquake.

Candace Hill, associate planner with the California Geological Survey, said the maps, which were released by the Seismic Hazards Zonation Program, will be useful to homeowners in disclosing if they live in a neighborhood which is considered hazardous in an earthquake. Developers who plan to build in those zones need to show how they can mitigate the earthquake hazards.

The Seismic Hazard Mapping Act was enacted by the California legislature in 1997, primarily as a result of the Northridge earthquake of 1994. The act requires the creation and publication of maps showing areas where earthquake induced liquefaction or landslides could occur. It also requires a Standardized Natural Hazards Disclosure Statement form be completed by real estate sellers and agents at the time of sale of a property. This form must disclose if a property is within one of the designated natural hazards areas.

Hill said, “The maps are valuable in terms of determining hazards existing for site specific projects for new developments, so developers can mitigate any seismic hazards in order to minimize loss of life and property.”

The California Geological Survey associate planner recalled the devastating 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which hit parts of the Bay Area hard. She said the magnitude 6.7 quake that hit Hawaii recently, causing severe damage but no deaths, “serves as a wake up call that earthquakes can and do happen.”

Hill said, “Everyone who lives in the Bay Area knows this is earthquake country. It’s a fact of life for residents. The maps are there not to alarm, but simply to inform the public about specific areas that are prone to liquefaction and landslides due to earthquakes.”

Areas shaded in the color green are at risk for liquefaction. This means the saturated soils in these areas, when shaken, may be unable to support buildings. Areas shaded in blue are prone to earthquake-induced landslides.
Hill said there are 112 maps being developed. Maps of other parts of California, including San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland have been completed. Recent Seismic Hazard Zone Maps of Palo Alto, Mt. Sizer, and revised Mountain View quadrangles covering parts of the South San Francisco Bay area were just completed recently. Visit http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/shzp/ and clicking the “Quickview / Download PDF Maps icon to view the Bay Area maps.

The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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