San Andreas Fault

[ san an-drey-uhs fawlt ]

noun

, Geology.

1. an active strike-slip fault in the western United States, extending from San Francisco to southern California and forming the on-land portion of the western margin of the North American Plate.

San Andreas Fault

¹

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

San Andreas Fault

²

1. 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.” )

Notes

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of San Andreas Fault¹

First recorded in 1900–05; named after San Andreas Lake, located in the rift, in San Mateo County

Example Sentences

Race is the San Andreas Fault of our culture as well as our history.

From The Daily Beast