A. Determining your risk from violent earthquake shaking goes beyond finding your location to the nearest fault. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) states three main factors that determine your seismic risk: the level of the seismic hazard, exposure to the hazard, and how vulnerable your community’s population and property is to the hazard.
Hazard: USGS Earthquake Hazard Maps are a great tool to depict hazard levels across the country. Interactive hazard maps are available from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) at the My Hazards Awareness Map website on the “Earthquake Risk” tab.
Exposure: Earthquake causalities are estimated and determined by the population in geographical areas with a higher risk of earthquakes such as the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles basin. The quantity and quality of the infrastructure (roads, bridges, gas and power lines) in that area are also evaluated.
Vulnerability: The vulnerability of your home to seismic hazards is determined by whether it has earthquake-resistance construction.