Near Palmdale in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The San Andreas Fault
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 18, 2014
1. San Andreas Fault Marker
One of the most outstanding geological features in California, extending for over 650 miles from Point Arena, north of San Francisco, to south of San Gorgonio Pass, between twenty and thirty miles deep and more than a mile wide in some locations. The faulted sandstone and shale, contorted and sheared may be seen by looking northward from this point, where the Antelope Valley Freeway cuts through the upthrusted ridge to the north. This fault is responsible for two of the greatest earthquakes in California history, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1957 Fort Tejon earthquake. This giant shear was named in 1892 by the noted geologist, Andrew Lawson.
Erected 1967 by Palmdale Woman's Club & Mrs. Walter H. Harness President C.F.W.C.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Natural Features • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 34° 32.467′ N, 118° 7.394′ W. Marker is near Palmdale, California, in Los Angeles County. It is on State Highway 14 2.4 miles north of Angeles Forest Highway, on the right when traveling north. Located on northbound Highway 14 at Lamont Odett Vista Point. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palmdale CA 93551, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the High Desert, and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 21, 2020
2. San Andreas Fault Marker
Photographed by Denise Boose, May 12, 2012
3. San Andreas Fault Marker - 2012
Photographed by Adam Margolis, October 18, 2014
4. San Andreas Fault Marker - 2014
Photographed by Denise Boose, May 12, 2012
5. Marker Detail
Photographed by Denise Boose, May 12, 2012
6. The San Andreas Fault
Driving North on Highway 14 through the San Andreas cut.
courtesy Antelope Valley Rural Museum
7. The San Andreas Fault
Highway 14 cuts through the fault just north of Avenue S. The curved lines have faded over the years. (1960s photo)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 2,878 times since then and 103 times this year. Last updated on May 10, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on February 13, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 2. submitted on August 28, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on May 19, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 4. submitted on February 13, 2025, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 7. submitted on October 23, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
