ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Maacama Fault

Okay, so imagine there's a really big crack in the ground. That crack is called a fault, and it's where two big pieces of rock are kind of pushing against each other.

The Maacama Fault is a specific crack like that, but it's in California! It's part of the San Andreas Fault system, which is a bunch of cracks in the ground where two big pieces of rock are moving against each other.

Sometimes when these pieces of rock move, it can cause an earthquake. Earthquakes are when the ground shakes a lot, and it can be really scary and dangerous for people and buildings.

So the Maacama Fault is just one part of a really long line of cracks in California where there might be an earthquake someday, but scientists are always studying it to try and predict when that might happen so we can be prepared and stay safe.