After earthquake ground water bonus, Napa, Vallejo

The Daily Journal/Associated Press, 9/6/14. "California quake quirk:  Water flowing in creeks."

Previously dry Creek near Vallejo
... well what's that? 

Previously dry Creek in Sonoma County

"NAPA — Last month’s earthquake in California’s wine country has residents marveling at the sight and sound of water running in some local creeks again. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports that last week’s 6.0-magnitude quake near Napa had the side effect of pushing groundwater up out of the bedrock and into previously dry streams.

Three creeks in the Sonoma Valley and two more in Napa and Solano counties now have dramatically increased flows. U.S. Geological Survey geologist Tom Holzer says the forces at work are basically the same as squeezing toothpaste out of a tube. Scientists say the water will subside as more time elapses after the quake." 

Referenced article -  Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 9/4/14, (pages 4). "Napa quake jumpstarts streem flows, through probably only temporarily." "Three creeks in Sonoma Valley and two more in Napa and Solano counties have dramatically increased water flows since the Aug. 24 earthquake in Napa County, a phenomenon familiar to scientists for more than a century and well established in Santa Rosa history."

Related article - ABC News, 8/29/14, includes embedded video, about 2 minutes.   VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) -- "Residents puzzled by recent water flow in Vallejo Creeks." "Green Valley Creek outside of Fairfield was dry up until Sunday's earthquake. Since then water has been flowing and residents are worried. It's not a huge rush of water, but it's enough for residents to question where it's coming from." 

Note photographs, left Carriger Creek in Sonoma County by Don Ford, CBS News, 9/5/14." Right creek near Vallejo from ABC news, 8/29/14 related article above.

Posted by Kathy Meeh