Garlock Fault

The Garlock Fault Line is a fault line running approximately north-south along the coast of California. It intersects the (perhaps better known) San Andreas Fault in Antelope Valley, California. The motion of the Garlock causes deflection in the San Andreas, and deforms it slightly into a curve.

Activity in the Garlock Fault

The Garlock moves at a rate of between 2 and 11 milimeters a year.

The Garlock is not considered to be a particularly active fault, although it has been known to generate seismic events when triggered by other earthquakes and in one instance by the removal of ground water.

No significant motions have been recorded in historic times, although the period is thought to be on the order of 3000 years between events.

Geography

The Garlock constitutes one of the borders of the Mojave Desert, and is a significant geologic landmark in California, comprising mountain ranges along its western coast.