Landers Earthquake Scarp

The Mojave Desert is a wedge between the San Andreas Fault to the southwest, and the Garlock Fault to the north. The result is a broad area with a higher valley base elevation (typically 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level) with enclosed basins, playas, and mountain ranges. The ranges are controlled by complex northwest-trending and east-west oriented faults. This view is from the June 28, 1992 earthquake that registered 7.3 on the Richter scale. This scarp was formed when the land in the foreground slipped to the north-northwest about 12 to 18 feet (3 to 5 meters) relative to the far side. The vertical displacement of 5 to 6 feet (almost 2 meters) seen here is largely due to the lateral shifting of the uneven topographic surface.

Print No. A99-68-3.