Documentation of Surface Fault Rupture and Ground-Deformation Features Produced by the 4 and 5 July 2019 Mw 6.4 and Mw 7.1 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Ponti Daniel J. , Blair James Luke , Rosa Carla M. , Thomas Kate , Pickering Alexandra J. , Akciz Sinan , Angster Stephen , Avouac Jean-Philipe , Bachhuber Jeffrey , Bacon Steven , Barth Nicolas , Bennett Scott , Blake Kelly , Bork Stephan , Brooks Benjamin , Bullard Thomas , Burgess Paul , Chupik Colin , Dawson Timothy , DeFrisco Michael , Delano Jaime , DeLong Stephen , Dolan James , Donnellan Andrea , DuRoss Christopher , Ericksen Todd , Frost Erik , Funning Gareth , Gold Ryan , Graehl Nicholas , Gutierrez Carlos , Haddon Elizabeth , Hatem Alexandra , Helms John , Hernandez Janis , Hitchcock Christopher , Holland Peter , Hudnut Kenneth , Kendrick Katherine , Koehler Richard , Kozaci Ozgur , Ladinsky Tyler , Leeper Robert , Madugo Christopher , Mareschal Maxime , McDonald James , McPhillips Devin , Milliner Christopher , Mongovin Daniel , Morelan Alexander , Nale Stephanie , Nevitt Johanna , O’Neal Matt , Olson Brian , Oskin Michael , Padilla Salena , Patton Jason , Philibosian Belle , Pierce Ian , Pridmore Cynthia , Roth Nathaniel , Sandwell David , Scharer Katherine , Seitz Gordon , Singleton Drake , Smith-Konter Bridget , Spangler Eleanor , Swanson Brian , Jobe Jessica Thompson , Treiman Jerome , Valencia Francesca , Vanderwal Joshua , Williams Alana , Xu Xiaohua , Zachariasen Judith , Zimmerman Jade , Zinke Robert 
Published: July 2020

The Mw 6.4 and Mw 7.1 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence occurred on 4 and 5 July 2019 within the eastern California shear zone of southern California. Both events produced extensive surface faulting and ground deformation within Indian Wells Valley and Searles Valley. In the weeks following the earthquakes, more than six dozen scientists from government, academia, and the private sector carefully documented the surface faulting and ground-deformation features. As of December 2019, we have compiled a total of more than 6000 ground observations; approximately 1500 of these simply note the presence or absence of fault rupture or ground failure, but the remainder include detailed descriptions and other documentation, including tens of thousands of photographs. More than 1100 of these observations also include quantitative field measurements of displacement sense and magnitude. These field observations were supplemented by mapping of fault rupture and ground-deformation features directly in the field as well as by interpreting the location and extent of surface faulting and ground deformation from optical imagery and geodetic image products. We identified greater than 68 km of fault rupture produced by both earthquakes as well as numerous sites of ground deformation resulting from liquefaction or slope failure. These observations comprise a dataset that is fundamental to understanding the processes that controlled this earthquake sequence and for improving earthquake hazard estimates in the region. This article documents the types of data collected during postearthquake field investigations, the compilation effort, and the digital data products resulting from these efforts.