Los Angeles is prone to earthquakes because it sits on multiple active fault lines, including the San Andreas Fault, which marks the boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Earthquakes occur when stress builds up along these faults due to the slow movement of the plates and is suddenly released.
Some key reasons why Los Angeles experiences frequent earthquakes:
- Tectonic Plate Movement – The Pacific Plate is moving northwest relative to the North American Plate, causing stress along fault lines.
- Active Faults – Major faults like the San Andreas, Newport-Inglewood, and Puente Hills faults can produce significant earthquakes.
- Seismic Activity in California – The state has thousands of small earthquakes each year, with occasional larger ones.