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How are the tectonic plates moving at the San Andreas Fault?
The San Andreas Fault marks the junction between the North American and Pacific Plates. Although both plates are moving in a north westerly direction, the Pacific Plate is moving faster than the North American Plate, so the relative movement of the North American Plate is to the south east. …
Is the San Andreas Fault moving?
The movement of the plates relative to each other has been about 1 cm (0.4 inch) per year over geologic time, though the annual rate of movement has been 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 inches) per year since the early 20th century. Parts of the fault line moved as much as 6.4 metres (21 feet) during the 1906 earthquake.
Which way is the San Andreas Fault moving?
The Pacific Plate, to the west of the fault, is moving in a northwest direction while the North American Plate to the east is moving toward the southwest, but relatively southeast under the influence of plate tectonics.
What tectonic event happens along the San Andreas Fault?
Tectonic Plate Boundaries The Pacific Plate (on the west) slides horizontally northwestward relative to the North American Plate (on the east), causing earthquakes along the San Andreas and associated faults. The San Andreas fault is a transform plate boundary, accomodating horizontal relative motions.
Are Los Angeles and San Francisco getting closer?
To the west of the fault is the Pacific plate, which is moving northwest. Los Angeles, located on the Pacific plate, is now 340 miles south of San Francisco, located on the North American plate. In 16 million years, the plates will have moved so much that Los Angeles will be north of San Francisco!
What tectonic plate is San Francisco on?
The Presidio lies on the North American Plate, but the boundary with the Pacific Plate, the San Andreas fault, lies only five mile west of the Pacific shoreline at the Golden Gate.
How many years overdue is the San Andreas Fault?
California is about 80 years overdue for “The Big One”, the kind of massive earthquake that periodically rocks California as tectonic plates slide past each other along the 800-mile long San Andreas fault.
Is the San Andreas Fault visible?
The San Andreas Fault begins near the Salton Sea, runs north along the San Bernardino Mountains, crosses Cajon Pass, and then runs along the San Gabriel Mountains east of Los Angeles. The mud pots near the Salton Sea are a result of its action, but your best bet to see the Southern San Andreas Fault is at Palm Springs.
What happens when the San Andreas Fault moves?
The earthquake waves travel across the whole state of California, leveling older buildings, disrupting roads and severing electric, telephone and water lines. Hundreds of fires start. Emergency personnel are hampered with the roads out. Water, electricity and gas lines cross the San Andreas fault in Los Angeles.
What happens if the San Andreas Fault moves?
Death and damage About 1,800 people could die in a hypothetical 7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas fault — that’s according to a scenario published by the USGS called the ShakeOut. More than 900 people could die in fires, more than 600 in building damage or collapse, and more than 150 in transportation accidents.
Is California moving northward?
No, California is not going to fall into the ocean. California is firmly planted on the top of the earth’s crust in a location where it spans two tectonic plates. The Pacific Plate is moving northwest with respect to the North American Plate at approximately 46 millimeters per year (the rate your fingernails grow).