Question

the san andreas fault zone is a portion of the boundary between the pacific and north american plates that runs through part of california in the united states. the relative motion of these plates is shown by the map below. how will motion of the pacific and north american plates affect the future locations of san jose and los angeles? choose 1 answer: a plates moving apart from one another will cause the cities to move farther apart. b plates moving toward one another will cause the cities to move closer together. c plates moving sideways in relation to each other will cause the cities to move farther apart. d plates moving sideways in relation to each other will cause the cities to move closer together.

Explanation:

The San Andreas Fault is a transform - fault boundary. At transform - fault boundaries, tectonic plates move sideways (horizontally) relative to each other. Looking at the direction of the relative motion of the Pacific Plate (upward) and the North American Plate (downward) in the map, this sideways motion will cause San Jose (on the North American Plate) and Los Angeles (on the Pacific Plate) to move closer together.

• Option A: Incorrect. The plates are not moving apart (which would be a divergent boundary), so cities will not move farther apart.
• Option B: Incorrect. The plates are not moving toward each other (which would be a convergent boundary).
• Option C: Incorrect. Sideways motion (transform boundary) does not cause them to move farther apart.
• Option D: Correct. As per the motion of the plates (sideways - transform boundary) shown in the map, the cities will move closer.

Answer:

D. Plates moving sideways in relation to each other will cause the cities to move closer together.