Explain why the portions of the San Andreas fault that are "locked" are or are not safer than the parts

where the two plates slide more or less continually. What is the name of the theory that deals with this
issue? What will be an ideal response?


The locked portions of a fault are probably less safe than those that slide regularly. The locked
portions are storing energy in the surrounding rocks, which will ultimately be released in a large
earthquake. The portions that slide frequently build up much less energy, since they release it
frequently. The name of the theory is the seismic gap theory.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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