One goal of paleoseismology is to estimate future seismic hazard through
an improved characterization of past fault behaviour in seismically
active environments. Earthquake-related features (e.g. faults, folds
and fissure fills) observed in trenches and outcrops show complex
three-dimensional structures in strike-slip faulting environments.
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a non-destructive, inexpensive
technique that may allow localized paleoseismic information obtained
from conventional approaches to be complemented and extrapolated.
We have carried out detailed 2D and 3D GPR surveys across the active
San Andreas Fault (SAF) at the Pitman Canyon and Alder Creek trench
sites in California.