Rinconada Fault
Posted by Michael Tolchard on November 29, 2006 at 13:34:11:

Looks like the Paso Robles 4.1 was quite close to the Rinconda Fault. Makes one wonder what effect the San Simeon and Parkfield Quakes had, and will have on the Rinconda ... Appears no evidence it has moved in the past 11,000 years, but also looks like it is capable of 7+, so not sure what to believe ...

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The Paso Robles area is exposed to seismic hazards from movement along several regional faults. The identified active fault zones in this area are the San Andreas, Nacimiento, Rinconada, and “Offshore Faults,” although the classification of the Rinconada Fault as activehas been much disputed (Quad Consultants, 1980). Historically, most of the earthquakes detected in Paso Robles have originated from movement along the San Andreas Fault, which lies approximately 23 miles northeast of the City, near the Town of Cholame (QuadConsultants, 1980). In the Paso Robles Area, the San Andreas Fault is identified as the primary source of potential ground shaking (Envicom, 1975). Magnitudes as high as 6.5have been recorded twice in the past from movement along the San Andreas. The major “active” fault zones in the area are shown in Table S-1. Table S-1.

Estimated Regional Maximum Credible Earthquake Events
Fault ZoneMagnitude (Richter)
San Andreas 8.0-8.5
Nacimiento 7.0-7.5
Rinconada 6.5-7.0

Source: San Luis Obispo County, 1980

The Jolon Fault and the Rinconada Fault transect the southwestern portion of the City, butconverge to form one fault or fault zone near Mountain Springs Road. To the northwest of Mountain Springs Road, the location of the Jolon Fault is based on mapping by Durham (1970).Its projection through the City and on the east side of the River is based on the alignment of warm, sulfur springs. Regional data regarding the activity of the Rinconada and Jolon Faults indicate that these faults may have been active as recently as the late Pleistocene in the vicinity of Paso Robles, and asrecently as late as Pleistocene near Santa Margarita. However, there is no evidence that either fault has moved during the Holocene (last 11,000 years approximately). While the Rinconada and Jolon Faults are not considered active with respect to fault rupture, they may be the sites of moderate seismic activity.