Slip, Collide, andSlide

How Do Tectonic Plates Move?

Plate Boundaries
 According to the Plate tectonic theory, three
boundaries exist at the edges of tectonic
plates.
1) Divergent Boundary (Ridge)
2) Convergent Boundary (Trench)
3) Transform Boundary
Plate Boundaries
Plate Boundaries

Transform Boundary
 A transform plate boundary is characterized by
two plates grinding past one another without
the construction or destruction of crust.
 Convection currents exert shear forces on
opposing plates forcing them to slide past one
another.
 Lithosphere is neither created or destroyed at
these boundaries.
Plate Boundaries
Transform Boundary
 This type of plate boundary was discovered by J. Tuzo Wilson.
Wilson proposed the existence of transform faults to explain
the numerous narrow fracture zones and earthquakes found in
the crust.
 He realized that ridges at divergent plate boundaries were not
perfectly linear and came to understand that transform faults
exist where segments of ridges are offset (see below).
 Most transform faults occur where Transform Fault

oceanic ridges are offset on the

sea floor. Fracture Zone
Oceanic Ridge
(spreading center)
Plate Boundaries
Transform Boundary

 Earthquakes along such

transform faults are shallow
focus earthquakes.

 One of the largest such

transform boundaries occurs
along the boundary of the North
American and Pacific plates
and is known as the San
Andreas Fault.
 Where are
Transform Plate
Boundaries?
(6) San Andres
Fault in
California.
(7) When the
plates move
past one
another they
create
earthquakes.
 What is San Andreas Fault?
• California's sleeping
giant, the San
Andreas Fault, marks
the slippery yet sticky
boundary between
two of Earth's tectonic
plates. It is
responsible for the
biggest earthquakes
in California, up to at
least magnitude 8.1.
Summary . . .
Overview of Points covered:
Transform Boundary:
 proposed by Tuzo Wilson
 shear forces cause plates slide past on another
 right lateral “vs” left lateral
 most occur along ocean ridges on the sea floor
 no volcanic activity – just shallow focus earthquakes
 lithosphere is neither created nor destroyed
 example: San Andreas fault
 SIMULATION
• PERFORM THE EARTHQUAKE SHAKE

20 minutes
 Assignment
• What causes the formation of Volcanic
Islands?

• NOTE: Answers to be presented in the

form of a DRAWING.