answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

California straddles two tectonic plates, the North American plate and the Pacific plate. These two plates are seperated by a transform fault (a very large strike slip fault) known as the San Andreas fault).

The Pacific plate is moving north relative to the North American plate however the fault is not smooth and so can become locked in certain areas. The continued pressure or stress created by the movement of the plates around these locked portions of the fault causes the crust in these zones to deform, building up something called elastic strain or elastic potential energy. This is the energy stored in a deformed object such as a compressed spring or a stretched elastic band.

When the stress becomes to large exceeding the shear strength of the rockmass in the locked fault zone, it ruptures or "breaks" causing a sudden movement and allows the locked portions of the crust to "spring" back into their correct positions. This movement causes the very sudden release of the stored energy as seismic waves (and other forms of energy) which causes earthquakes.

As stated previously, the San Andreas fault zone travels all the way up through California and so California experiences a significant number of earthquakes.

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

California has a high risk of earthquakes because it straddles two tectonic plates, the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. All the "faults", or "fault lines", you hear mentioned in California lie along the edges of these two plates.

Plates form the lithosphere which floats on the asthenosphere; they are the surface of the earth that we know. They move just like ice flows move on the ocean, they grind by each other (what happens in California), they smash into each other, and they float apart.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

California rests on a fault. A fault is where two tectonic plates (huge slabs of stone on top of the mantle) meet. Because the two plates that meet below California move in opposite directions, there is a lot of friction and built-up energy at the fault. When the built-up energy gets large enough, it is released in the form of an earthquake.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

This article explains: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Andreas_Fault

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

The Pacific Ocean floor is being pushed up against the North American plate. The ocean floor slips under the land plate causing shift in the surface.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

California sits atop a major fault line, which is what causes earthquakes. A fault line is the site of plates in the earth's crust that either rub against each other, or move away.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

its on a destructive plate margain

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is California prone to earthquakes?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What state has the most earthquakes?

Alaska is the most earthquake prone state, followed by California.


Is Chile prone to earthquakes?

Chile is highly prone to earthquakes


What state is the most earthquake prone state?

Alaska has 12,000 earthquakes per year, California 10,000. Alaska is the state with the most earthquakes, California second and Hawaii third.


What region of the US is most prone to earthquakes?

Alaska, California and Hawaii in that order have the most earthquakes in the US. California is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because it is on top of where two of the Earth's tectonic plates meet: The Pacific plate and North American plate meet below California.


Is north Queensland prone to earthquakes?

No. Ancient volcanic activity did occur in the region, but it is not at all prone to earthquakes in modern times.


Along what European sea are countries especially prone to earthquakes?

Along what European sea are countries especially prone to earthquakes


What is a way to survive earthquakes?

Don't live in an area prone to earthquakes.


Which state in the US is the most earthquake prone?

Alaska is the most earthquake prone state averaging about 12,000 earthquakes each year. Alaska has so many earthquakes because the Pacific Plate is sinking under the North American Plate, where Alaska is located. California is the second most earthquake prone state averaging about 10,000 earthquakes each year. California has so many earthquakes because of the San Andreas Fault, the North American Plate rubbing against the Pacific Plate. *each earthquake is not always felt or noticeable*


Is Philippines prone to typhoons and earthquakes?

Yes, the Philippines' location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and its tropical climate makes it prone to earthquakes and typhoons.


What state do most earthquakes occur in?

Alaska is the most prone to earthquakes in the US.


Do earthquakes happen in russia?

Yes. Several areas in Russia are prone to earthquakes.


What is an aseismic area?

'seismic' = prone to earthquakes 'aseismic' = the absence of notable earthquakes