Week 6- California Geology- Lake Tahoe

(Bethsaida Colina)

Lake Tahoe lies in the Lake Tahoe Basin, approximately 240 kilometers from California's San Francisco Bay metropolitan area. Because of its beautiful setting in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada to the west and Carson Range to the east and its proximity to large population centers, the lake has become a mecca for outdoor sports.

Honestly this is one of my favorite spots in California because it has a beautiful nature and vibe that make you fall in love. I've visited Lake Tahoe a couple times in summer and winter which make this area very interesting. 

My questions are: 

What would happen with Lake Tahoe if there is a major earthquake? it is very important to know this information because thanks to the San Andreas fault, California is one of the most geologically complex places in the world. The state contains many major tectonic features that make this area part of the ring of fire that is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. 

Also, I would like to know,  how Lake Tahoe was formed? I am very curious about this question because the water of the lake is crystalline and cold. No matter the season, the water keeps its transparency and temperature is always cold. Understanding how Lake Tahoe was formed will allow me to know why the water is clear  and temperature is always cold as well as understanding the formation of the water streams, mountains, and rocks around the area. 

Finally, I would like to know, was Lake Tahoe a volcano? Knowing this will answer the why of many volcanic flow rocks around the area and why Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the US.