The printed version of "Scenario for a Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake on the Hayward Fault " was published 1996; it grew out of a day-long symposium held during the 1995 Annual Meeting of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. It drew on the knowledge and advice of many of the region's experts in the fields of earth and life sciences, earthquake engineering, social sciences, and emergency management. The multi-disciplinary team developed a broad, unbiased portrayal of the issues that surround the vulnerability of the region to a major earthquake.

EERI's experience in creating this scenario facilitated the development of the Scenario for a Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake on the Seattle Fault, also available in printed and electronic formats, co-published in 2005 by EERI and the Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department.

Earthquake professionals have a unique opportunity and responsibility to encourage community leaders to take effective action to reduce earthquake risk. Understanding the issues and consequences is the foundation of reducing that risk. This scenario will serve the reader as a planning aid to improve mitigation efforts and develop new ways to reduce future losses. Many people are needed to respond to the scenario's call to action and to help us meet the challenges ahead.