Hi all

I have a scientific question for the science brains on here (Chris, maybe John?) Ever since I learned how to plot individual quakes in google earth I've had a good time running my own queries and learning. One of the things that makes me scratch my head is when I run a search of all quakes 1.0 or greater along a given fault line, say the Hayward fault. Lets say I have google earth plot the quakes out for a several years or whatever. I noticed the quakes don't tend to forma linear pattern. I.e. if you zoom out in google earth, yes, they look like they follow a line that would could draw a line in between to define a fault. BUT, when you zoom in really closely you see that the quakes have a very random plotting. They are all over the place, and not one 2 quakes ever seem to appear in the same place.

Also I'm somewhat familiar with where the Hayward fault runs and I don't see any quakes on the areas it is reported to be. For example, we all know on here that the Cal Stadium at Berkeley is getting pulled apart by the fault, yet, there are virtually no quakes centered right on that part by the stadium. THey are a half mile to the east, or to the wet of the stadium, but none along telegraph Ave, yet that is where the fault is said to be.

So my question is this, does the science community simplify things to the public when defining a fault as saying its a straight line, but the reality is any given fault is really just thousands of strands within a mile radius for like 30 miles long? IF this is is the case, then, in a major quake do all these individual strands have to work in concert and move at once?

OR, is the Hayward fault really a defined 30 mile long fisher for each segment and what I'm seeing is activiity on little branches off the main trunk, but when the big on the fault hits its going to be on that main artery thats devoid of micro quakes?

I see this pattern not just on Haward (Used that as example) but on all the faults I've studied. Any info or clarification/education on what I'm seeing would be appreciate!