The last "Big Shake" was in 1868

OK, that is a pretty bold statement. But when it comes to the Hayward fault, it is true. We’ve received a from the Hayward fault this past week, and that got me thinking to the last big quake on the fault, which was in 1868.

How big was it? Well, early in the morning on October 21, 1868, a 6.8 quake hit on the Hayward fault. The quake was so big that it was felt from Santa Rosa to Gilroy, Stockton to Half Moon Bay. Throughout the Hayward area, some buildings collapsed and almost every building suffered damage. Check out the photos to see a couple images of the destruction.

With a quake that size, residents of Castro Valley felt quite a big jolt, too. Here’s a quote from Ethel Ott Eglestom, whose grandparents lived in a ranch house at the junction of Norris and Crow Canyon:

“The livestock came lowing and bellowing home in terror and the boulders above the creek bed came crashing down the banks of the creek which changed its course. The trees bent to the ground and grandfather said that the ground was not still for over twenty four hours, a slight tremor all the time. There was not one piece of crockery left in the house and before another meal could be served grandfather had to go into San Ramon for dishes.”

Some people say that history has a way of repeating itself. Well, sometimes scientists agree with that, too. Currently scientists estimate that there is a 27% probability the Hayward fault will create another major earthquake in the next 30 years. So hang on tight, because we might be due for some more big shakes!