Mendocino Fracture Zone

The Mendocino Fracture Zone is a significant geological feature located off the northern coast of California, along the boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. It is primarily a transform fault, which means it is characterized by lateral movement of tectonic plates sliding past one another, rather than converging or diverging. The Mendocino Fracture Zone extends from the coast of California westward into the Pacific Ocean.