Question

The zone of dangerous faults in Southern California is much wider than in the San Francisco Bay area, largely because the major plate-bounding fault (the San Andreas) is bent so far to the west that it makes it difficult for the Pacific Plate to slide along on its northwestward journey.

A) Southern California
B) San Francisco Bay area
C) Central California
D) Northern California

Answer 1

The zone of dangerous faults in Southern California is wider than in the San Francisco Bay area due to the bent San Andreas Fault, making it challenging for the Pacific Plate to slide northwestward.

Step-by-step explanation:

The zone of dangerous faults in Southern California, Option A, is much wider than in the San Francisco Bay area, Option B, largely because the major plate-bounding fault, the San Andreas Fault, is bent so far to the west. This makes it difficult for the Pacific Plate to slide along on its northwestward journey. The Pacific plate is moving northward, carrying Los Angeles, San Diego, and parts of the southern California coast with it.