What is the San Andreas Fault?
The San Andreas Fault is a major geologic fault which runs along the coast of Northern California, veering inland as it approaches Southern California. Because the fault runs along heavily populated regions of the state, it is often a topic of discussion, as a major earthquake on the San Andreas Fault could be a very serious problem for California. The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906, for example, was caused by movement along the San Andreas Fault, and geologists monitor the fault carefully for signs that another big earthquake may be on the way. Like other faults, the San Andreas Fault is a fracture in the Earth’s crust which is marked by increased geological activity. The San Andreas Fault is a transform fault, which means that it is located along the boundary between two tectonic plates. The Pacific Plate meets the North American Plate along the San Andreas Fault, with a smaller plate called the Juan De Fuca Plate located at the Northern end of the fault. The San Andreas is also cl
