USGS Science Topics: San Andreas Fault

San Andreas Fault

Geological fault system running through the southern half of California, on which earthquakes are common. The fault is a transform fault with right-lateral strike-slip motion.

Explore these categories:

Earthquakes(attribute)

Ground shaking caused by the sudden release of accumulated strain by an abrupt shift of rock along a fracture in the earth or by volcanic or magmatic activity, or other sudden stress changes in the earth.

Faulting (geologic)(formed by)

Movement of earth materials along fracture surfaces.

Tectonic processes(result of)

The structural forces affecting the deformation, uplift, and movement of the earth's crust.

Fault zones(instance of)

Areas characterized by fractures in the Earth's crust. [Adapted from UGSG Circ 1048]

California(location)

state