Who’s at fault? California geologists mourn loss of seismic evidence

Summer and road construction seem to go hand in hand, but a routine fix in a California town has geologists and earthquake enthusiasts up in arms.

A small curb at the corner of Rose and Prospect in the Bay area town of Hayward has acted as a fascinating source of seismic activity for 40 years, The Los Angeles Times reports.

The curb, which runs over the Hayward fault line, has shifted over the years, moving about eight inches from where it originally was, geologist David Schwartz told NPR.

The town of Hayward, east of San Francisco, elected to fix the misaligned curb, to make way for a wheelchair-accessible ramp, and thus, destroyed what some scientists are hailing as “the holy grail of seismology.”

Andrew Alden, a Bay area geologist, called the curb an “icon,” referencing fellow geologist Dr. Sue Ellen Hirschfield’s photo series, documenting the street corner’s shift from seismic activity. Hirschfield complied photos taken over 30 years to show not only the curb’s movement, but also the fault line’s effect on houses in the area.

While geologists are upset over the town’s decision to repair the curb, and wish more research into its iconic status had been completed, most acknowledge the necessity to fix streets in order to make them accessible.

Assistant city manager Kelly McAdoo told ABC News she was not aware of the curb’s appeal. Area resident Jennifer Kenyon said the street corner was a constant source of fascination for both the neighbourhood and tourists.

The Hayward fault line has not experienced a major earthquake in 148 years, according to The LA Times, and Schwartz told reporters an eruption is expected at any time, and the curb will not stay aligned forever.

“The fault will have its revenge,” said Schwartz.