The famous San Andreas Fault passes close to which major city in the United States of America?

Introduction / Context:
The San Andreas Fault is one of the most studied geological faults in the world and is frequently mentioned in discussions of earthquakes and plate tectonics. It marks the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate in California. Many questions in geography and earth science ask about which major cities lie near this fault.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The San Andreas Fault runs roughly northwest to southeast through California.

• The options list Los Angeles, New Orleans, Hollywood, and San Francisco.

• Two of the options refer to California locations, but only one is a major city and well known for historic earthquakes linked to the fault.

• New Orleans lies in Louisiana, far from the fault, and Hollywood is a district within Los Angeles rather than a separate major city in lists of this kind.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is to match the San Andreas Fault with the city most historically associated with it in terms of major earthquakes. The 1906 earthquake that devastated San Francisco is a famous example often mentioned alongside the San Andreas Fault. While the fault also passes near other populated areas in California, San Francisco is the classic exam answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the San Andreas Fault runs close to the San Francisco Bay area and was involved in the major 1906 earthquake. Step 2: Remember that San Francisco lies on the coast of northern California near the fault trace. Step 3: Note that New Orleans is located on the lower Mississippi River in Louisiana, well away from the tectonic boundary. Step 4: Recognise that Hollywood is a district within Los Angeles and is not usually used alone as the name of a major city in geography questions. Step 5: Therefore, select San Francisco as the major city closest to and most famously associated with the San Andreas Fault.

Verification / Alternative check:
Maps showing active faults in California depict the San Andreas Fault running near San Francisco and through other parts of the state. Historical records of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake repeatedly mention the San Andreas Fault as the cause of the event. In contrast, New Orleans and other cities far from California do not appear on such maps, confirming the choice of San Francisco.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Los Angeles does lie within the broader tectonically active region of California but is not as closely identified with the San Andreas Fault in standard exam questions as San Francisco is.

• New Orleans is in the Gulf Coast region, far from the fault system of California.

• Hollywood is a neighbourhood and cultural symbol, not a separate major city in a geographical sense.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes select Los Angeles because it is a large California city and often appears in movies related to earthquakes. Others may be confused by seeing Hollywood listed but fail to remember that it is part of Los Angeles rather than a separate city. For exam purposes, the safest association is to remember San Francisco when you see the San Andreas Fault mentioned.

Final Answer:
The San Andreas Fault passes close to San Francisco.