The San Andreas Fault is categorized as which type of fault?

The San Andreas Fault is categorized as a right-lateral strike-slip fault due to the nature of its movement. In a strike-slip fault, the main displacement occurs horizontally, with blocks of crust sliding past each other. The San Andreas Fault specifically features a right-lateral movement, meaning that if you stand on one side of the fault and face the other side, you would see the opposite side move to the right. This movement is primarily the result of horizontal compressional forces between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, which are sliding past each other because of tectonic activity.

In contrast, a normal fault occurs when the crust is extended, and one block falls relative to another, leading to vertical displacement. A reverse fault is characterized by compression, where one block of crust is pushed up over another. Both of these types involve vertical movement rather than the horizontal movement that defines the San Andreas Fault. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the San Andreas is specifically classified as a right-lateral strike-slip fault.