THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT

To understand the San Andreas fault let us study it step by step:

LOCATION-

San Andreas fault is located in the southern and western regions of California at the meeting point of Pacific and the North American Plates. It is about 800 miles in length and 10 miles in depth.

CAUSES OF SAN ANDREAS FAULT-

The basis of the San Andreas fault can be understood by understanding the concept of plate tectonics. According to this theory the earth consists of rigid plates which are constantly in motion. Some plates move towards each other, some away from each other and some laterally past each other.

San Andreas fault is caused by the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate moving laterally past each other. All land west of the fault on the Pacific Plate is moving towards the northwest and all land east of the fault is moving to the southwest.

RESULTS OF THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT-

San Gabriel Mountains are a result of movement along the San Andreas Fault.

This fault also produces massive earthquakes of magnitude 6.o or greater. As the plates move, stress builds up along faults. When this stress is released, the blocks or plates move and an earthquake occurs.

San Andreas lake has formed in the ridge formed by meeting of the two plates

STRIKING FEATURES-

The vegetation and terrain on either side of the lakes look different as the two plates, though now placed together were once miles apart the underlying rock is geologically very different.

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