Effect of Arvin-Tehachapi earthquake on spring and streaflow

Abstract

Flow in many of the streams and springs in the area covered by this report increased as a result of the Arvin-Tehachapi earthquake. Although this increase in flow appears to have been temporary, there was still evidence of it in some of the streams and springs as late as June 1953, when this report was prepared. It is doubtful if the earthquake had any permanent effect on the recharge areas or on the permeability of the aquifers. This temporary increase in some cases is probably due to the mere disturbance of the unconsolidated material in the discharge areas, resulting in the clearing of the existing outlets and opening of new ones.