The global dialogue on the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants has changed since the 2011 magnitude-9 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan. While coastal central California is tectonically different than eastern Japan (a strike-slip versus subduction plate margin), critical facilities located near active fault zones in coastal environments, like Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E) Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP), have been the focus of increased attention regarding earthquake and tsunami hazards. Extensive geological and geophysical investigations underway at DCPP are designed to improve hazard assessments. DCPP geosciences staff moni- tors regional earthquakes and studies global seismic events as part of the plant's safety program. Earthquake hazard information from the program is used to confirm that DCPP can withstand all credible ground motions from nearby faults.
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