Oceanic Transform Faults

Abstract

Oceanic transform fault plate boundaries accommodate large-scale, strike-slip displacements. They link combinations of convergent (subduction zones) and divergent (spreading centers) boundaries. Depending on the details of the linked boundaries, the length of transform faults may increase, decrease or remain the same with continued plate motions. Transform fault plate boundaries may terminate abruptly in other plate boundary configurations such as triple junctions. As plate boundaries change their orientation with respect to plate motions, convergent or divergent boundaries may transition along strike into transform faults. Transform faults may be converted to other types of plate boundaries as a result of inevitable reconfigurations of poles of rotation.