How was the San Andreas fault formed?
Quick Answer
The San Andreas fault was formed by the movement of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates sliding past each other in opposite directions. This movement causes displacement of objects on each side of the fault as stress from the movement builds up.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
Because of its horizontal direction of movement, the San Andreas fault is categorized as a transform or strike-slip fault. Other faults are categorized by vertical movement. If the vertical movement is downward, the fault is categorized as a normal fault. Vertical movement upward creates a reverse fault.
The horizontal movement of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates is evidenced by many landforms along the San Andreas fault. Displacement of these landforms delineates the side-by-side passage of the plates. The San Andreas fault is rimmed by many other fissures and cracks in the Earth's surface, creating dips and valleys that follow the movement of the main fault line.
Some areas of the fault creep continuously on a daily basis, moving a few inches each year. Other segments are locked in place, building up pressure until the pressure erupts in an earthquake. Major earthquakes resulting in loss of life, and millions of dollars in damages have occurred along the fault line.
Learn more about Plate TectonicsRelated Questions
-
Q:
What type of plate boundary does the San Andreas Fault exemplify?
A: The San Andreas Fault exemplifies a transform fault plate boundary. Transform fault boundaries consist of two plates sliding against each other in a horizo... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How does the movement of tectonic plates cause earthquakes?
A: The movement of tectonic plates causes earthquakes when two plates that are in contact with each other move in opposite directions and release built-up str... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is the relationship between metamorphism and tectonic plates?
A: Tectonic plates and metamorphism are related because the geothermal gradients and metamorphic rocks produced during these phenomena are greatly affected by... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How do tectonic plates move?
A: Earth's tectonic plates move due to the movement of magma in the mantle underneath the crust. Extreme temperatures inside the planet's core cause a convect... Full Answer >Filed Under:
You May Also Like
-
Q:
Which mountains were formed by the collision between continents?
-
Q:
What are the eight minor plates?
-
Q:
How can plates move apart at the mid-ocean ridges and not leave a deep gap in the lithosphere?
-
Q:
Hawaii sits on what tectonic plate?
-
Q:
What is an oceanic-oceanic collision?
-
Q:
Which type of fault is under compression?
