Question

Select the statement that best provides an inference about seismic activity along the San Andreas fault that is supported by the text. A The San Andreas fault has existed for millions of years, but it did not cause an earthquake until 1906. B The San Andreas fault is more than 800 miles long, but seismic activity only occurs in a very small section of the fault. C People cannot prevent seismic activity along the San Andreas fault, but they can limit the damage caused by earthquakes. D By studying "seismic gaps," scientists know that the next earthquake to occur along the San Andreas fault will happen in the San Francisco Bay area within the next decade.

Answer 1

The statement that best provides an inference about seismic activity along the San Andreas fault is D - By studying "seismic gaps," scientists know that the next earthquake to occur along the san Andreas fault will happen in the San Francisco Bay area with the next decade.

A Seismic Gap, is a segment of the fault where no earthquakes have taken place for a very long time. Due to the build up of stresses in the San Francisco Bay area, scientists have deduced that one is overdue, the last one being in 1906. Scientists have been successful in forecasting earthquakes by studying these gaps, deducing that there is a 100-150 year interval between large ones.