2 years, 1 month ago
If the San Andreas fault ruptured would California sink or float away?
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M$1 Answer
No. First, the fault would not "rupture" meaning the two plates which meet at the fault would not separate. The Pacific Plate is sliding northwest while the North American Plate is sliding to the south east. This creates some element of a subduction zone with the oceanic crust of the Pacific Plate subducting or going beneath the continental crust of the North American Plate.
Since California sits on continental crust, it will be shifted or lifted not 'sunken'. However, rifts and valleys can fill with water as is seen in the image of the San Andreas Lake.
More on Plate Tectonics http://www.sanandreasfault.org/Tectonics.html
Since California sits on continental crust, it will be shifted or lifted not 'sunken'. However, rifts and valleys can fill with water as is seen in the image of the San Andreas Lake.
More on Plate Tectonics http://www.sanandreasfault.org/Tectonics.html
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Is there any scenario where California could separate from the US Continent?