Why are scientists allways saying that California will fall in-to the ocean?

Question

Im just wondering, because I live in southern California where there is alot of earthquakes. And if it's true, will it be within my lifetime.

Answer 1

The scientists are saying that a "big one" is going to happen. It's not a question of "if", its "when." And they don't know when, it is still, unfortuneatley, impossible to predict earthquakes. They have specials on this topic on the Discovery Channel, so check out your local listings so you can see. I think there's even a movie. Anyways, there is also a huge fault by Washington.

Answer 2

Because the San Andreas Fault lies underneath California. Fault lines are places where the earths plates meet. The plates compress against each other and cause earthquakes. Some believe that eventually a mega quake will tear California away from the rest of the continental United States along the San Andreas Fault. Much like pulling on the sides of a sheet of paper that has a line of perforation down the middle.

Answer 3

This is really late, 9 years late, but, the reason why scientists say California will fall into the ocean is because there is a plate boundary beneath the west coast of the continent, but the plate is moving faster and extends beyond the east coast of the continent.

Answer 4

Most of California is on the Pacific tectonic plate rather than the North American plate. The Pacific plate is trying to rotate counter-clock-wise so California won't actually sink, but will be dragged north. Since it's on the edge of the plate, it may just be worn away before it it goes north because there is a lot of friction.

Answer 5

It won't fall into the ocean. It is on a Transverse fault (San Andreas) which means that it may detach and slide up or down the coast, but it will not fall into the ocean. That could indeed happen in your lifetime but is not easily predicted.

Answer 6

Because of the fault lines that lie on the west coast. It is inevitable that one day earthquakes will cause it to break away into the Pacific Ocean.

Answer 7

I think it has something to do with the San Andreas Fault. Because of the fault and the amout of earthquakes it produces it might be plausable that it might actuall happ. But i seriously doubt that it will be in your lifetime.

Answer 8

Not fall. The San Andras fault will slowly move the western side north causing the land masses to separate.

Answer 9

Because of the San Andreas Fault. Nevada will be beach front property.

Answer 10

Scientist don't say that .... because it isn't trying to fall into the ocean ... its trying to move toward Washington state. Only uninformed people think that its gonna fall off