Viral Photo Does Not Show the San Andreas Fault
The Claim
This photo shows the San Andreas Fault.
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Emerging story
An image claiming that it came from the San Andreas Fault began circulating on Facebook in 2020.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found that the image comes from Canyonlands National Park in Utah and does not feature the San Andreas Fault. The photo shows the Black Crack, a geological feature that’s found along the White Rim Trail within the park.
The same image was shared on Reddit giving the correct information about the natural fissure. Similar photos of the Black Crack can also be found on stock image sites, The Washington Post, and mountain biking websites. These images label the location as Canyonlands National Park and not the San Andreas Fault.
The caption that accompanies the photo usually claims that the San Andreas Fault is “132 km long and 32 km deep.” This information is also incorrect. According to the USGS, San Andreas Fault is much longer, at more than 800 miles (1,287 km) in total. It’s not that deep either, with depths of around 10 miles (16 km). The real San Andreas Fault looks quite different as well and is far more subtle than a giant crack in the ground.
