MAJOR EARTHQUAKE DRILLING PROJECT TO BE UNVEILED JUNE 24

An international research team has launched a major drilling project along the San Andreas Fault in Central California. The project ­ which is spearheaded by scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Stanford University ­ is designed to provide a better understanding of the underground physical processes that control earthquake generation along the fault. Drilling of the 1.4-mile-deep pilot hole began in early June and is expected to be completed this summer.

On Monday, June 24, at 10 a.m. PDT, two press conferences announcing the project will be held simultaneously in Northern and Southern California at the following USGS locations:

USGS (Northern California) USGS (Southern California)

345 Middlefield Road 525 South Wilson Avenue

Building 3, Room 3-240 Room 100 B

Menlo Park, CA 94025 Pasadena, CA 91106

Mark Zoback, Ph.D., professor of geophysics at Stanford, will speak at the Menlo Park press conference; and William Ellsworth, Ph.D., chief scientist of the USGS Earthquake Hazards Team, will speak in Pasadena. Both scientists will be available for one-on-one interviews at 11 a.m., following the media briefings. A press release, graphics, background information and Betacam video footage of on-site drilling will be available at both press conferences.

Please note that the drill site is on private land and off-limits to visitors. However, there will be a media tour of the site on Monday, July 1.

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