In California: Tremors on the Fault

Willard D. McNown, a semiretired chiropractor, moved away from the Ridgemark Country Club last year. About 2 in. He did the same the year before. First the living room and an upstairs bedroom moved, then the library and kitchen. The garage, or at least one side of it, followed a little later. Walls cracked, ceilings split and doors jammed. Before long, scientists and sightseers were arriving by the busload.

McNown is not a victim of termites or building-code violations. Rather, the Calaveras fault—a tributary of the mighty San Andreas fault three miles away—runs right...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!