For Immediate Release
July 29, 2008

Explore the San Andreas Fault with UCR Extension and learn about the geology of earthquakes

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – Spend the day exploring the San Andreas Fault, an 800-mile transform fault that is predicted to be a prime location for the next "big" earthquake in California.

Geology instructor and author Gary Arce leads students on a tour of a portion of the fault in the class Field Study of the San Andreas Fault: San Bernardino to Palmdale, offered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 in San Bernardino. (Following registration, students will be given directions to the location where the class is meeting.)

Arce, author of the book, "Defying Gravity: High Adventure on Yosemite’s Walls," will point out the famous trenches across the San Andreas at Pallett Creek, which provide a clear record of past earthquakes and allow a rare three-dimensional view of the fault. Students also will see the geologic features created by seismic activity, such as faceted ridges, shutter ridges, closed depressions, offset streams and sag ponds. Students do not need to have geology experience to take this class.

The fee for this class is $179 or $155 each for couples or family members or $140 each with PINE discount (includes transportation). For more information about this class, call (951) 827-5804 or e-mail sciences@ucx.ucr.edu.

To receive a free UCR Extension catalog, call (951) 827-3806. To register for classes, visit www.extension.ucr.edu or call (951) 827-4105 or toll-free at (800) 442-4990.

UCR Extension is the continuing education division of the University of California, Riverside. Extension offers more than 3,800 courses and 90 certificate programs in a variety of academic programs, including agriculture and landscape, arts and humanities, business and management, education, teacher’s credentialing, English, environmental management, forensic investigations & public safety, geospatial analysis and technology, health services and behavioral sciences, information technology, languages, law and public policy, Native American studies, natural sciences and yoga.