Final answer:
The specific frequency of strong earthquakes along the Hayward Fault is not provided in the given references. However, we've discussed seismic activity in California, where intervals can vary such as every 25 years near Parkfield and every 150 years in the Los Angeles region. Earthquake prediction involves uncertainty, and more information would be needed to answer the student's question regarding the Hayward Fault.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the frequency of strong earthquakes along the Hayward Fault near San Francisco, the information provided does not give a specific interval for this fault. However, we can discuss general seismic activity in the context of California's faults as a reference. The San Andreas Fault has different intervals of seismic activity depending on the region.
For instance, near Parkfield, the fault has moved roughly every 25 years, whereas in the Los Angeles area, significant earthquakes occur on average every 150 years. Each of these major movements is associated with considerable slippage of several meters.
When we consider the accumulated strain and the general motion of tectonic plates, we know that the Pacific and North American plates move approximately 5 cm per year relative to each other. Over a century, this movement would sum up to around 5 meters of slippage. Calculating slippage for a specific future earthquake scenario can thus be estimated using the time elapsed since the last quake and the rate of strain accumulation.
Predicting the exact timing of earthquakes is challenging due to geological complexities, but scientists use historical data, strain rates, and advanced monitoring to make estimates. For the purposes of this student's question, based on the examples given, it's important to stress that earthquake prediction and forecasting involve a significant degree of uncertainty, and specific recurrence intervals along the Hayward Fault are not provided in this context.