San Andreas Fault, California (USA)

The San Andreas Fault in Carrizo Plain, California is 16 km wide and 1280 km long. The rift looks like a long furrow and is best seen from the air. The fault was created by the meeting and retreat of the Pacific and North American continental plates and became their boundary. Earthquakes occur here frequently. Scientists have found that large earthquakes have occurred here on average every 150 years, over the last 1500 years. The last large earthquake at the center of the fault occurred in 1857.

In the Carrizo Valley, where the fault runs, there is no vegetation, but small streams can be seen, small waterless salt lakes where artemias live. The rift is also famous for the fact that many films, songs and videos have been filmed here.