Earth Systems 3209

Unit: 4
The Forces Within Earth

Reference:
Chapters 4, 15, 16, 19; Appendix A & B

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 Unit 4:
Topic 2.7

Plate Boundaries - Transform

Focus on . . .
 describing a transform boundary.
 drawing a transform boundary which demonstrates the
relative motion associated with this boundary.

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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
Text Reference:
Pages 526-539
Figure 19.17, pg. 528

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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.
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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)

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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. Here the
transform fault cuts through
continental lithosphere.

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Plate Boundaries
Transform Boundary – Right Lateral “vs” Left Lateral

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Plate Boundaries

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Example 1:

What boundary is NOT associated with volcanic

activity?
(A) convergent (C) rift
(B) divergent (D) transform

Which plate boundary does shear forces dominate

resulting in tectonic plates sliding past one another?
(A) convergent (C) transform
(B) divergent (D) subduction

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Example 2:

What main type of force results in a transform fault?

(A) compression (C) elastic
(B) shear (D) tensional

Which of the following is an example of a transform

fault boundary?
(A) Alaskan thrust fault (C) San Andreas fault
(B) Japan trench (D) Tokyo normal fault

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Your Turn . . .
Take the time and complete the following questions . . .
(Solutions to follow)

Question:
Which occurs at a transform plate boundary?

(A) collision of plates

(B) formation of crust
(C) sliding of plates along each other
(D) subduction

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Solutions . . .

Question:

Which occurs at a transform plate boundary?

(A) collision of plates

(B) formation of crust
(C) sliding of plates along each other
(D) subduction

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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

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