Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

A Comparison Between The San Andreas and The North Anatolian Faults

Abstract: In many aspects, the San Andreas and the North Anatolian fault zones show many similarities. Fromthe geological point of view, as the San Andreas Fault in California, the North Anatolian Fault Zone is one of the estknown structure of the world. They are similarly right-lateral, strike-slip faults, at the same time, are transforms.They are of Late Miocene - Pliocene in age (10-12 m.y.) and are about 1100 - 1600 km long. Their zonal widths (0.5 - 10km) are in the same order and magnitude. Although sense of their strike-slip movement is principally right - lateral,they have a lef t-lateral branch (The Bast Anatolian Fault of the North Anatolian Fault and the Garlock Fault of theSan Andreas Fault). However, they vary in the maximum amount of lateral displacement and show different topographic features. The maximum offset is nearly 300 km along the San Andreas Fault whereas it is approximately 85-90km along the North Anatolian Fault. As far as the physiographical characteristics are concerned, The North AnatolianFault Zone is more spectacular than San Andreas Fault.