Plate Tectonics: Transform Fault Boundaries

transform boundary

plates slide past each other sideways

why quakes happen

plates stick because rocks are rough; energy builds until it snaps

earthquake release

when plates finally slip, the stored energy causes shaking

san andreas fault

famous transform boundary in california where big quakes happen

plate motion

at san andreas, one plate moves north and the other moves south

transform quakes

known for producing some of the strongest earthquakes

convergent boundary

plates collide; makes earthquakes and volcanoes

divergent boundary

plates pull apart; makes earthquakes and volcanoes

plate boundary map

earthquakes and volcanoes line up with plate edges

key idea

transform boundaries cause major earthquakes due to built-up energy