Geology and Oceanography

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences World Encyclopedia Further reading

transform fault

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | | Copyright

transform fault A type of strike-slip fault in an ocean, occurring at the boundaries of lithospheric plates, in which the direction of movement of the crustal blocks is reversed (or ‘transformed’) in comparison with a strike-slip fault on land. For example, at mid-ocean ridges the offset between adjacent ridge sections is a transform fault; where the displacement is dextral (right lateral) the motion, due to spreading, is left lateral, and vice versa. Generally, transform faults occur at right angles to the ridge itself and indicate the direction of spreading. The active transform fault extends into an inactive fracture zone.

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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "transform fault." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "transform fault." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-transformfault.html

AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "transform fault." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-transformfault.html

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transform fault

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

transform fault Special class of strike-slip fault characteristic of mid-ocean ridges. Because of the transform faults, which are at right-angles to the ridge itself, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge does not run in a straight line but in offset steps.

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"transform fault." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"transform fault." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-transformfault.html

"transform fault." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-transformfault.html

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