San Andreas Fault cultural definition

A major geologic fault located in California. It runs from San Francisco to near San Diego and has been the source of serious earthquakes. (See also under “Earth Sciences.”)

A fault in California where the North American and the Pacific tectonic plates meet and slide past each other. (See earthquake and plate tectonics.)

• A major earthquake along this fault has been predicted for many years. Because California is densely populated, such an event might have very serious consequences.