One application of geophysical surface-based shallow seismic investigations is to characterize vertical and lateral variability of fault zones, the presence of which is critical to know prior to development. The Black Hills Fault Zone is located in the El Dorado valley of Southern Nevada, ~8 km from Boulder City and ~30 km from Las Vegas. Both cities are susceptible to a seismic hazard created by the fault which has a potential to generate a magnitude 7.0 + 0.4 earthquake. This signifies the importance for a geophysical seismic hazard assessment which includes Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW), Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) and seismic refraction. The geophysical investigations are complementary to a fault study to be carried out by UNLV structural geology student Eric Fossett under the direction of Professor Wanda Taylor.