What natural disaster poses a risk in California due to the San Andreas fault?

California is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes as a result of the San Andreas Fault, which is one of the most significant fault lines in the United States. The San Andreas Fault is a geologic boundary that demarcates the Pacific Plate from the North American Plate. The movement of these tectonic plates can occur suddenly and intensely, leading to an earthquake when the accumulated stress exceeds the frictional resistance of the rocks along the fault line.

Earthquakes can cause substantial damage to infrastructure, disrupt utilities, and pose significant risks to public safety. California's history of seismic activity further highlights the potential consequences of this natural disaster. In contrast, the other options listed—floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes—are not primarily associated with the state's geological characteristics or typical weather patterns. Floods are often a result of heavy rain or rapid snowmelt, hurricanes are more common in tropical regions, and tornadoes are related to severe thunderstorms typical in the central United States. Hence, earthquakes are the natural disaster that accurately reflects the risks posed by the San Andreas Fault in California.