"Geology of the California Coast"

The geology of the California coast is shaped by dynamic processes like tectonic plate movement, faulting, and sediment deposition. The region features rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and deep offshore trenches, much of which results from the Pacific Plate sliding past the North American Plate along fault lines such as the San Andreas Fault. Coastal rocks include ancient metamorphic and sedimentary formations, uplifted or eroded over millions of years. Tectonic activity and erosion continually modify the landscape, creating diverse geological features like rocky outcrops, caves, and estuaries, illustrating California’s complex geological history and ongoing geological evolution.