California Natural Hazards

Why are earthquake-resistant planning and building practices important in California?

• Earthquake risk comes only from hurricanes.
• Active faults cross densely settled areas.
• Earthquakes occur only in empty deserts.
• California has no fault systems.

Why do natural-hazard risks differ across California?

• California has only one type of hazard.
• Every region has identical geography.
• Regions have different climates, terrain, vegetation, and settlement patterns.
• Hazards occur only in Sacramento.