Constraining Potential Locking Area on the Creeping Segment of the San Andreas Fault

The San Andreas Fault has historically been known for producing large earthquakes, especially in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. However, it is currently unclear whether the region between these two areas, a 150-km long section of the fault extending from Parkfield north, could also produce large earthquakes. This section of the fault is known to be creeping at the surface, and in some areas may move at nearly the deep slip rate. Our current research utilizes GPS and InSAR data to constrain the bounds on locking of the fault at depth to estimate potential for producing large earthquakes, using a block model to compute slip rates on the fault segment between Parkfield and San Juan Bautista. The degree of locking along the fault trace can then be estimated and potential accumulation of strain across the plate boundary estimated. The results will be an improved understanding of potential earthquake hazards in this region.