Creek channels, offset by the Pacific Star Fault, delineated by willows and wetland vegetation
The Pacific Star Fault is a short but active set of transverse fault strands bisecting a remote marine terrace on the northern Mendocino Coast. It is one of thousands of fracture zone splinter faults that make up the San Andreas Fault System, and is situated near the northern terminus of the San Andreas Fault at the Mendocino Triple Junction, which is approximately 70 miles to the northwest of the Pacific Star.
Laying parallel to and in close proximity of the San Andreas Fault (roughly eight miles offshore) the Pacific Star similarly displays right lateral, strike slip motion along this very active transform margin, and an impressive slip rate of approximately four millimeters a year.
Standout tectonic landforms caused by this motion can be seen on the relatively flat, heavily grazed marine terrace, including several offset stream channels and a linear transpression ridge.
Link to videos of a visit to the Pacific Star Fault and Tectonic Landforms
Pressure/transpression ridge along the Pacific Star Fault
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