definitions

San Andreas fault

[ san an-drey-uh s ]
/ ˈsæn ænˈdreɪ əs /

noun Geology.

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

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Origin of San Andreas fault

after San Andreas Lake, located in the rift, in San Mateo County
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Culture definitions for san andreas fault (1 of 2)

San Andreas Fault

[ (san an-dray-uhs) ]

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

Note

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.

Culture definitions for san andreas fault (2 of 2)

San Andreas Fault

[ (san an-dray-uhs) ]

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.”)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.