A segmentation fault, often encountered in GCC, typically occurs when a program attempts to access memory that it shouldn't, such as when pointers are not properly initialized or allocated. This error can manifest when using uninitialized pointers or when forgetting to allocate memory for them. To resolve segmentation faults, it is advisable to declare arrays instead of pointers, as arrays automatically allocate the necessary memory. Alternatively, dynamic memory allocation can be achieved using functions like malloc in C or new in C++, ensuring to free or delete the allocated memory afterward. Additionally, segmentation faults may arise from incorrect function argument counts, highlighting the importance of proper function usage.