Why did the San Andreas Fault happen?

Answer 1

Actually the San Andreas fault and its right lateral strike slip fault characteristics were preceded by a subduction of the Farallon tectonic plate under the North american plate. Farallon plate not being orthogonal (perpendicular) to the North American plate graduated to the shutdown of the subduction and developing more of a strike slip motion. Nowadays the Farallon plate has been completely subducted and in its place is now the Pacific plate that slips past the North American plate in a right lateral fashion. There are two remnants of the Farallon plate, the Cocos plate subducting underneath Central America and the Gorda plate subducting underneath Oregon and Washington state.

Answer 2

It's the 'junction' between two tectonic plates. The Pacific plate (west of the fault) slides in a northwest direction - and the North American plate slides relatively southeast due to plate tectonics.

Answer 3

The San Andreas fault was caused NOT by subucting, but instead sliding one against another.

Answer 4

The San Andreas fault is a result of the North American and pacific plates sliding past each other at what is known as a transform boundary.

Answer 5

Transform boundaries. A transform boundary is a boundary in which 2 plates slide past each other moving in opposite directions.

Answer 6

Scientists believe that the San Andreas Fault formed due to plate tectonics. This is phenomenon where plates move along the earth causing cracks and earthquakes to form.

Answer 7

Earthquakes are common on the San Andreas fault line. This happens when the Pacific plate and the North American plate collide.

Answer 8

The San Andreas Fault is the convergent plate boundary between the North American and Pacific tectonic plates. The plates are not moving in the same direction, therefore the faulting.

Answer 9

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