Surface rupture occurs when movement on a fault deep within the earth breaks through to the surface. ALL EQs result in surface rupture. Fault rupture almost always follows preexisting faults which are zones of weakness. Rupture may occur suddenly during an EQ or slowly in the form of fault creep. Sudden displacements are more damaging to structures because they are accompanied by shaking.
Fault creep is the slow movement of faults in the earth's crust.
An EQ is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth's outer layer push the sides of the fault together. An EQ occurs when plates grind and scrape against each other. In California there are 2 plates the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate consists of most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California Coast line.