What earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.3, is noted for left lateral thrust motion?

Prepare for the California Specific Exam for Professional Geologists with diverse question types. Utilize flashcards and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding and boost your exam readiness!

The earthquake noted for its left lateral thrust motion with a magnitude of 7.3 is the White Wolf earthquake. This seismic event is significant in geologic studies due to its unique characteristics—particularly its thrust mechanism, which indicates that the Earth's crust is being compressed, causing one block of rock to be pushed up over another.

Thrust faults are commonly associated with convergent plate boundaries where tectonic plates collide, and in the case of the White Wolf earthquake, the left lateral motion (where the opposite block moves to the left when viewed from one side of the fault) is a critical detail that distinguishes it from other seismic events. This fault movement type helps in understanding the stress distribution and fault dynamics in the region, which is essential for geological assessments and the modeling of earthquake hazards.

The other earthquakes mentioned do not share the same left lateral thrust characteristics. Each of those events has different fault motions associated with them, making the White Wolf earthquake a specifically notable example for this type of geological movement.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy