Question

Which of the following best explains the reason for the high probability that Los Angeles could experience an earthquake in the next 30 years?

Option 1: There is an active volcano within 50 miles of the city.
Option 2: A tsunami could be generated from the movement of plates along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Option 3: Los Angeles is very close to the San Andreas Faultline.
Option 4: Sea level rise is likely to cause flooding to sections of Los Angeles over the next 30 years.

Answer 1

Option 3.

The high probability of an earthquake in Los Angeles is due to its location near the San Andreas Faultline, where historic seismic activity and plate movement indicate building tension that is likely to be released in future seismic events.

Step-by-step explanation:

The high probability that Los Angeles could experience an earthquake in the next 30 years is best explained by its proximity to the San Andreas Faultline.

This reason is represented by Option 3. Los Angeles, located near this major fault line, is on the Pacific Plate, which is slowly moving northwest in relation to the North American Plate.

Historical patterns of seismic activity, such as the significant event in 1857 and the continual movement of the land, indicate that tension has been building, and the region experiences substantial motion when the fault slips.

It is this movement and buildup of stress along the San Andreas Fault that leads to a high likelihood of future earthquakes in the area.