San Andreas Fault (in comparative studies)

The San Andreas Fault is a major fault line in California where two tectonic plates— the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate— slide past each other. This horizontal movement causes earthquakes when stress builds up and is suddenly released. Think of it like two cars rubbing against each other and occasionally jolting forward or backward. The fault stretches roughly 800 miles, making it one of the most significant geological features affecting the region's seismic activity. Its behavior is studied to understand earthquake risks and improve safety measures in California and similar fault zones worldwide.