San Andreas Fault Theory
explanatory Essay
916 words
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “we learn geology the morning after the earthquake.” Fortunately for those living along the San Andreas Fault line in California, there are people behind the scenes, from geologists to city and emergency planners, who have no intention of waiting that long.
The San Andreas Fault Line, first identified in 1895 by Professor Andrew Lawson of UC Berkeley, is an 800-mile fracture in the Earth’s surface, stretching from the Gulf of California to San Francisco, and is one of the longest faults in the world. It forms the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, with a complex network of smaller faults branching off the main San Andreas line which are responsible for a majority of the areas earthquakes.
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Back then, no one understood how or why the two rocks were next to each other until around 40 years ago when the theory of plate tectonics was introduced. The purpose of the tectonic theory was to explain the process of earthquakes, not just around the San Andreas Fault, but also on the others that ran concurrent to it.
The theory concluded that around 200 million years ago, the heavy Pacific Plate collided with the lighter North American Plate, and started sliding underneath, a process known as subduction. This continued for 100 million years, until some 20 million years ago, when the Pacific Plate was forced to change direction and started sliding north, creating the San Andreas Fault. Most of California’s population sits on the west side of the fault, the Pacific plate, while the rest of North America is sitting on the east side of the fault, the North American
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Since record keeping began, sometime in the 18th century, there have been 13 major earthquakes along the San Andreas Fault. However, radiocarbon dating has proved that earthquakes have been happening along the fault for thousands of years. The earliest recorded earthquake happened on July 28, 1769, and was experienced by Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola while he camped along a small lake he named “San Andreas Lake”. Other notable early earthquakes occurred in 1836, 1838, 1865, 1868, and 1890. Unfortunately, there is no seismographic data recorded for these early earthquakes since it was not until 1887 that seismographs began being used in the United
In this essay, the author
- Explains ralph waldo emerson's quote that geologists learn geology the morning after the earthquake. fortunately for those living along the san andreas fault line in california, there are people behind the scenes.
- Describes the san andreas fault line as an 800-mile fracture in the earth's surface stretching from the gulf of california to san francisco.
- Explains that the san andreas fault was first exposed to geologists when the cliffs of mussel rock collapsed during the 1906 earthquake.
- Explains ralph waldo emerson's quote that geologists learn geology the morning after the earthquake. fortunately for those living along the san andreas fault line in california, there are people behind the scenes.
- Describes the san andreas fault line as an 800-mile fracture in the earth's surface stretching from the gulf of california to san francisco.
- Explains that the san andreas fault was first exposed to geologists when the cliffs of mussel rock collapsed during the 1906 earthquake.
- Explains that the pacific plate collided with the lighter north american plate 200 million years ago, and started sliding underneath, a process known as subduction.
- Explains that california's earthquake history is short. since record keeping began in the 18th century, there have been 13 major earthquakes along the san andreas fault.
- Explains that native americans lived along the fault line and experienced their own disasters. an earthquake rocked the northern coast of california, up through washington, and even into vancouver.
- Explains that the yurok tribe of northern california believed the god, earthquake, was running up and down the coast. the quileute and hoh people thought thunderbird and whale were having a terrible fight, making the mountains shake and uprooting trees.
- Explains the two most famous earthquakes in california since the area was first settled by the europeans were the 1857 fort tejon earthquake in southern california and the 1906 san francisco earthquake.
- Explains that the first of the two biggest earthquakes happened on the morning of january 9, 1857, when an estimated 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the coast, rupturing the earth along the southern section of san andreas for approximately 225 miles.
- Explains that the earthquake was the last big one to occur along that section of the fault.
- Explains that a dried up river bed, known as wallace creek, crosses the line of the san andreas fault in the carrizo plain.
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- Significance Of The San Francisco Earthquake Of 1906explanatory essayOne of the worst natural disasters in United States history to this date occurred almost 109 years ago. On April 18, 1906 at 5:15am in San Francisco, California, the earthquake of San Francisco occurred hitting between 7.9 and 8.3M on the Richter scale. The San Andreas Fault, which is about 600 miles long, running from the Gulf of California to Cape Mendocino and is an active strike-slip fault, cut through the continental lithosphere to cause the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. An earthquake is a trembling or shaking of the ground produced by movements along a fault (Strahler, 2012). After the tension is released at a critical point, the fault or tectonic plate slips and relieves the strain and creates the seismic waves, which radiates out in all directions causing the shaking of the surface.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the san francisco earthquake of 1906, which occurred on april 18, 1906. the san andreas fault, an active strike-slip fault, cut through the continental lithosphere to cause it.
- Explains that the 1989 loma prieta earthquake scaled only 25 miles along the san andreas fault. earthquakes on transforming boundaries produce moderate to strong earthquakes.
- Explains the magnitude of the 1906 earthquake was between 7.9 and 8.3m on the richter scale. the ground was moving at nearly 3 miles per hour and lasted between 45 and 60 seconds.
- Describes the san francisco earthquake of 1906, which occurred on april 18, 1906. the san andreas fault, an active strike-slip fault, cut through the continental lithosphere to cause it.
- Explains that the 1989 loma prieta earthquake scaled only 25 miles along the san andreas fault. earthquakes on transforming boundaries produce moderate to strong earthquakes.
- Explains the magnitude of the 1906 earthquake was between 7.9 and 8.3m on the richter scale. the ground was moving at nearly 3 miles per hour and lasted between 45 and 60 seconds.
- Explains that the 1906 earthquake was one of the most influential earthquakes scientifically. scientists flourished after the earthquake, including lawson, reid, and gilbert.
- Describes the reid elastic rebound theory, which is the gradual accumulation and release of stress and strain that most earthquakes are a result of.
- Explains that the san andreas fault is a transforming boundary and the rocks on the two sides of the faults have been held together without sudden slippage.
- Opines that with the information that we have now on seismic activity, they could've properly prepared. they may not have saved the 28,000 buildings but could’ve saved some of the 3,000 people that died indirectly or directly by the 1906 earthquake.
1003 wordsRead More - Long Point Faultexplanatory essayThe Long Point Fault is located in Harris County, which covers 83,450 square miles located with in Houston, Teaxas City Limits. Research specifies that there are three sections of the Long Point fault that appear to be active; some sections of the Long Point fault have averaged more than 2 cm per year of vertical offset over the last 20 years. Evidence of the faults concludes it is a natural fault. The reason for activity is not caused by man, even though man’s activities are not helping the issues, but clearly humans are not the initial cause, biological activity can be in fact an adiitional cause for its movement. A brief description of the type of fault and its relationship with the strata and the faults beneath the Houston area, are at depths of 1,000 to 4,000 m. They have been well-defined through the study of well logs and seismic lines. Studies have resuted in assumuptions that some of these subsurface faults penetrate younger sediments at shallower depths, and contain faults that have of set the present land surface to produce recognizable scarps. (Gabrysh)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the long point fault is located in harris county, which covers 83,450 square miles located with in houston, teaxas city limits.
- Explains the geological history of the houston area including surface water present in several types of lakes, rivers, and manmade canals that all share the rainwater runoff management system.
- Explains the geology of the area along the long point fault. the sedimentary component is a series of sands and clays that have been deposited on decaying organic matter.
- Explains that the long point fault is located in harris county, which covers 83,450 square miles located with in houston, teaxas city limits.
- Explains the geological history of the houston area including surface water present in several types of lakes, rivers, and manmade canals that all share the rainwater runoff management system.
- Explains the geology of the area along the long point fault. the sedimentary component is a series of sands and clays that have been deposited on decaying organic matter.
- Explains houston's topography is largely in the northern portion of the gulf coastal plain, a 40- to 50 mile wide swath along the texas gulf coast and its elevation rises approximately one foot per mile inland.
- Explains the extent and distribution of the long point fault in the houston area region is an earthquake free zone. the clay below the surface obstructs the opportunity for the ground shaking in earthquakes.
- Illustrates the lidar hills shaded image showing long point fault where it crosses st. francis street. the kink is due to grading the lot on the south side of the scarp.
- Illustrates the location of the long point fault at bunker hill in figure 4. the lidar dem, the hills shaded image, and the topographic profile are shown.
- Explains that the long point fault is highly occupied and has numerous damaged structures built on it. bed-to-bed correlation was implemented by using electric logs of closely spaced drill holes across known scarps.
- Explains that the visibility of faults on aerial photographs of undeveloped areas has increased dramatically since the original field work of 1930’s.
- Explains that the origin of the long point fault and its rate of displacement is considered an active fault and has been surveyed. the only attempt to study short-term variations in this fault movement was that of reid (1973).
- Explains that the first 14 months of observation revealed the following: vertical separation ranged from 6.7 mm/yr at a monitored site on the eureka heights fault to 34
- Explains that houston swapp and its expected use and engineering of drainage ditches are implemented by operating on a very low gradients, meaning they are gravity-fed sewer lines that work with reversed flows. sediments and contaminated water have been noted at several locations on the long point fault line.
- Explains that even with prior knowledge of fault locations, some irresponsible planning of engineered structures, many problems remain evident in these existing area. it can be avoided in future construction especially where prominent dip-slip movement along any non-vertical fault.
- Explains that the repair of damaged structures and the re-design of new structures for future must bridge an active fault, and take both mechanisms of movement into account.
- Explains that the proof is visible with steep faces or slopes of linear extent, even when structures are 70m away from some faults. the long point fault creep is present where areas of fluid production happen, and where it’s not being extracted.
- Concludes that the documented evidence and extent of damage and form all of the maps paint a very clear picture of throw lines as the other field study observations show that growth faults are standard for the texas gulf coast topographic profiles across the houston area.
- Explains the importance of the tiltbeam method as a device for measuring the vertical component of motion along an active fault.
- Explains that kreitler considered this proof of man-induced faulting and implied demonstration of the absence of other significant controls. the following 5 years of record, however, showed no such correspondence, casting doubt on proposals that fluid withdrawal is the dominant control of fault movement.
- Opines that the method of fluid withdrawal may affect faulting in the houston area is not understood, and the relative importance of ground water and petroleum production remains unassessed.
- Opines that the long point fault holds a valuable lesson of what can happen when biochemical forces meet mother natures reaction that create huge scarp faults on city blocks.
- Cites kreitler c. w.'s "lineations and fauts in the texas coastal zone." us geological survey. seabrook, tx.
- Analyzes gabrysch, bonnett, kreitler, and van siclen's work on land surface subsidence at seabrook, texas.
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In this essay, the author
- Describes how the 1906 san francisco earthquake was one of the most catastrophic disasters in history.
- Analyzes how the 1906 san francisco earthquake has helped scientists better understand earthquakes. the earthquake exceeded the annual average of two inches and was recorded on a seismograph.
- Explains that san francisco's weak alarm system broke down during the first earthquake tremor, thus not a single alarm went off during three days and three nights the fires lasted.
- Describes how the 1906 san francisco earthquake was one of the most catastrophic disasters in history.
- Analyzes how the 1906 san francisco earthquake has helped scientists better understand earthquakes. the earthquake exceeded the annual average of two inches and was recorded on a seismograph.
- Explains that san francisco's weak alarm system broke down during the first earthquake tremor, thus not a single alarm went off during three days and three nights the fires lasted.
- Explains that san francisco had been built in a haphazard manner prior to the 1906 earthquake, with weak buildings and rudimentary fire protection.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake devastated the city and left over 400,000 homeless. the u.s. army provided basic necessities for the survivors.
- Analyzes how the 1906 san francisco earthquake spawned knowledge in the field of seismology and made it the jewel of the west coast.
923 wordsRead More - The Bay Area and Earthquakesopinion essaystudy of the San Andreas fault system." (USGS) When the 1906 earthquake struck scientist set
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- Opines that nuclear facilities rate first on facility that must be well-maintained facilities.
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- Explains that the fault moved horizontally, the southwestern side slipping to the northwest.
- Opines that nuclear facilities rate first on facility that must be well-maintained facilities.
- Opines that earthquake hazard in the san francisco bay area: continuing problem in summary
- Explains that the fault moved horizontally, the southwestern side slipping to the northwest.
- Explains that scientists set forth to make observations on effects of the 1906 earthquake. the final report was published in 1908.
- Opines that seismology remains a benchmark for the future, and integrated investigation into the effects of earthquakes in the us.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake was a natural disaster that was estimated to be magnitude 7.8 and caused the casualties of 2,000 people.
- Describes the 1906 san francisco earthquake, a natural disaster that was responsible for structural damage and the lives of many people.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake was worse due to the ruptured power lines, which became uncontrollable because the water mains were also broken.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake was a natural disaster that was estimated to be magnitude 7.8 and caused the casualties of 2,000 people.
- Describes the 1906 san francisco earthquake, a natural disaster that was responsible for structural damage and the lives of many people.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake was worse due to the ruptured power lines, which became uncontrollable because the water mains were also broken.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake killed around 3,000 people and left countless residents homeless. the army provided housing for 20, 000 refugees in military camps.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake was caused by the san andreas fault, a zone of seismic activity due to the tectonic plates moving against each under the earth.
- Explains how to identify safe places such as under a sturdy piece of furniture or against an interior wall in your home, office, or school so that when the shaking starts, you drop to the ground, cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl to it and hold on.
- Explains the basics of getting ready for an earthquake, such as dropping down into the floor and covering head and neck with arms, if still in danger of falling objects and crawling under a sturdy desk or table.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake was originated like every other earthquake with shaking and violent movements, which according to photographer ansel adams lasted forever.
- Explains that the 1906 earthquake was the most destructive natural event in the history of san francisco.
- Explains that the 99.7% chance of an earthquake in california as predicted by the usgs is important because people prepare by creating a plan.
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In this essay, the author
- Describes the magnitude of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the san andreas fault. the epicenter has moved around over time as advances have been made.
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- Analyzes the damage caused by the quake and fire in 1906, which cost about 400 million dollars, equal to about 8.2 billion dollars today.
- Describes the magnitude of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the san andreas fault. the epicenter has moved around over time as advances have been made.
- Describes how the san andreas fault ruptured the northernmost 296 miles of the pacific plate and north american plate, leaving 225,000 homeless, 3,000 dead, and 500 city blocks gone.
- Analyzes the damage caused by the quake and fire in 1906, which cost about 400 million dollars, equal to about 8.2 billion dollars today.
- Analyzes the damage to city hall, which took 25 years to build, and the death toll from the earthquake.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that san francisco was in the midst of the second industrial revolution, when a devastating earthquake hit the city on april 18, 1906.
- Explains how the 1906 san francisco earthquake has affected the advanced knowledge in earthquakes that scientists have today.
- Explains that san francisco's weak alarm system broke down during the first earthquake tremor, thus not a single alarm went off during three days and three nights the fires lasted.
- Explains that san francisco was in the midst of the second industrial revolution, when a devastating earthquake hit the city on april 18, 1906.
- Explains how the 1906 san francisco earthquake has affected the advanced knowledge in earthquakes that scientists have today.
- Explains that san francisco's weak alarm system broke down during the first earthquake tremor, thus not a single alarm went off during three days and three nights the fires lasted.
- Explains that san francisco was built in a haphazard manner, with weak building structures and rudimentary fire protection.
- Analyzes how the 1906 san francisco earthquake devastated the city and its citizens. the earthquake and fires left 3,000 people dead and over 400,000 homeless, while the u.s. army provided basic necessities.
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- Explains that an earthquake occurs when a fault line goes off and parts of plates become stuck against one another.
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- Explains that earthquakes can cause other hazards such as tsunamis, avalanches, and landslides.
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- Describes the impacts of earthquakes on the economy, society, and environment.
- Explains that earthquakes have many impacts that affect the earth and us as humans. the 9.5 magnitude earthquake in chile killed more than 5000 people, and the 2011 christchurch earthquake left 100 000 homes needing repair.
- Explains that the earth is split into four layers: the inner and outer core, the mantle and crust, and the tectonic plates.
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- Explains that understanding the plate tectonics theory is very important, especially when investigating natural disasters like earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
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- Analyzes the mysterious nature of earthquakes, which keeps us guessing when the next one will come. the san andreas fault earthquake is the most mysterious, dangerous, and soon to come earthquake that we still don't have a date on.
- Explains that the san andreas fault is a powerful earthquake, but it's not clockwork. many researchers have been looking into when the mysterious earthquake can occur.
- States that the san andreas is the most worrisome tectonic plate in california, and the quakes will have a bigger effect on the people living near the fault.
- Analyzes the mysterious nature of earthquakes, which keeps us guessing when the next one will come. the san andreas fault earthquake is the most mysterious, dangerous, and soon to come earthquake that we still don't have a date on.
- Explains that the san andreas fault is a powerful earthquake, but it's not clockwork. many researchers have been looking into when the mysterious earthquake can occur.
- States that the san andreas is the most worrisome tectonic plate in california, and the quakes will have a bigger effect on the people living near the fault.
- Opines that researchers and scientists have some ideas that the earthquake may occur soon. parkfield, in central california, is the site of the first official earthquake prediction.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the quake lasted for less than a minute, but caused immense destruction. fires engulfed the city and some residents for three straight days before burning themselves out.
- Explains that 90% of the destruction was caused by badly damaged gas pipes and water lines. the firemen used dynamite to keep the fires from spreading.
- Explains that disasters provoke crazed selfishness and a survival-of-the-fittest mentality, but tragedies typically bring out people's altruistic tendencies.
- Explains that the quake lasted for less than a minute, but caused immense destruction. fires engulfed the city and some residents for three straight days before burning themselves out.
- Explains that 90% of the destruction was caused by badly damaged gas pipes and water lines. the firemen used dynamite to keep the fires from spreading.
- Explains that disasters provoke crazed selfishness and a survival-of-the-fittest mentality, but tragedies typically bring out people's altruistic tendencies.
- Explains that the 1906 san francisco earthquake marked the dawn of modern scientific study of the san andreas fault system in california.
- Describes how the 1906 earthquake, also known as "the big one," was one of the largest in american history.
- Explains that the san andreas fault has been unusually quiet since the two largest earthquakes in 1857 and 1906.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that america has changed in many ways over the course of time, but to truly understand the actual face of america, we have to think farther back than a few hundred years.
- Explains that the san andreas fault is a strike-slip fault that prevents the lower tectonic plate from sliding upward steadily.
- Explains that yellowstone is an extraordinary example of a caldera, which means that there had been previous volcanic eruptions in this area.
- Explains that america has changed in many ways over the course of time, but to truly understand the actual face of america, we have to think farther back than a few hundred years.
- Explains that the san andreas fault is a strike-slip fault that prevents the lower tectonic plate from sliding upward steadily.
- Explains that yellowstone is an extraordinary example of a caldera, which means that there had been previous volcanic eruptions in this area.
- Explains that geological history is great at uncovering cause and effect situations when trying to determine why americans live the way they do in the u.s.
- Explains that geological history can explain most of the questions concerning the way people live and interact in america today.
- Explains hussey, russell c. historical geology: the geologic history of north america.
- States that usgs: geological survey bulletin 1347 (earthquakes).
907 wordsRead More - The Northridge California Earthquakeexplanatory essayBefore examining the Northridge event, understanding the naturally occurring hazard that is an earthquake will help to better understand exactly what happened and why it was such an important geological event. With four distinct layers, two layers, the crust and upper portion of the mantle, compose the skin that is the surface layer of the Earth. The crust is not a single, continuous piece. It is actually several different pieces, or plates, that come together to form the puzzle that comprises the surface of the Earth. These plates are in constant motion rubbing against one another. These areas, known as fault lines, where the plates rub up against one another have spots where one plate ”gets stuck while the rest of the plate keeps moving. When the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick and is how most of the earthquakes around the world occur” (Wald, 2012). The energy stored from the friction of the two plate...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that humans accept a certain amount of risk when choosing to live their lives. tornadoes in the midwest, hurricanes along the gulf coast or earthquakes are all hazards that residents in those regions accept and live with.
- Explains that the northridge earthquake was an important geological event. the crust and upper portion of the mantle make up the surface layer of earth.
- Explains that the northridge earthquake left a lasting impression on anyone who survived.
- Explains that humans accept a certain amount of risk when choosing to live their lives. tornadoes in the midwest, hurricanes along the gulf coast or earthquakes are all hazards that residents in those regions accept and live with.
- Explains that the northridge earthquake was an important geological event. the crust and upper portion of the mantle make up the surface layer of earth.
- Explains that the northridge earthquake left a lasting impression on anyone who survived.
- Explains that the northridge earthquake struck at 4:31 am local time. the response to the event occurred quickly.
- Explains that los angeles was prepared to respond to an earthquake and did so quickly. the recovery and reconstruction plan assigns primary responsibility for 300 separate tasks to at least one city agency or department.
- Opines that fema's response was no less important or immediate than that of the city, county or state.
- Opines that fema's assistance to displaced families didn't end there. it worked with the state of california and housing and urban development to relocate one hundred and thirty thousand families.
- Explains that the small business administration (sba) offered assistance to businesses and individuals. the sba issued loans totaling about four billion dollars to replace real estate damaged in the disaster.
- Explains that earthquakes have no early warning system unlike hurricanes or tornadoes, so no watch or warning was ever issued for the northridge earthquake.
- Analyzes how the northridge, california earthquake, the most expensive disaster in american history, left scars on the landscape and in the minds of those who lived through it.
- Summarizes the northridge earthquake: 1994 quake still fresh in los angeles minds after 20 years.
- Explains gordon, k., and emerson, j. governing through a disaster: lessons from the 1994 northridge earthquake.
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