In visiting the San Francisco area I have always been amazed by the concrete dam holding back the waters of San Andreas
Lake. It seems the dam is practically on top of the fault - at most just a couple hundred meters from the surface actual rip line. So, what will happen if an 8.0 quake (or less but still very strong) epicentres at the location? Seems like a stupid location for a concrete dam and lake to me and just askling for catastrophe. Was there any controversy when the dam was built? (Yes, I have read there was an earthen dam in 1906 that survived the quake then but that quake's epicentre was 30 miles away and in any case it seems to me an earthen dam would be more flexible than would be the concrete one).
2007-03-27
08:54:40
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2 answers
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asked by
Hank
6
in
Science & Mathematics
➔ Earth Sciences & Geology