Today we're going to talk about an aspect related to plate tectonics: transform faults. Their existence has influenced the formation of many types of landforms and they are of great importance in geology. In this post, you'll learn what a transform fault is and how it forms. You'll also learn about its impact on the geology of the terrain.
Do you want to know everything about these fallas? Keep reading 
Types of edges between plates
As the theory of plate tectonics states, the Earth's crust is divided into tectonic plates. Each plate moves at a constant speed. Seismic activity is more frequent at plate boundaries due to friction. There are several types of plate boundaries, classified by their nature. These depend on whether a plate is destroyed, created, or simply transformed.
To understand the origin of transform faults, we need to know the types of plate boundaries. First, we have divergent boundaries. At these, the edges of the plates move apart due to the creation of new oceanic crust. Second, there are convergent boundaries, where two continental plates collide. Depending on the type of plate, this will have different effects. Finally, there are passive boundaries, where no plate is created or destroyed.
At passive plate boundaries, shear stresses are exerted by the plates. The plates can be oceanic, continental, or both. Transform faults were discovered where plates move as misaligned segments along a mid-ocean ridge. Initially, this theory was thought to have formed as a long, continuous chain. This was attributed to horizontal displacement along the fault. However, upon closer examination, it was observed that the displacement was precisely parallel to the fault. This meant that the necessary direction for producing mid-ocean ridge movement was not present.
Discovery of transforming faults
Transform faults were discovered shortly before the theory of plate tectonics was published. They were discovered by scientist H. Huzo Wilson in 1965. Wilson, from the University of Toronto, suggested that these faults connect to the global active plate belts. These belts are the convergent and divergent plate boundaries we discussed earlier. All these global active plate belts are linked in a continuous network that divides the Earth's surface into rigid plates.
Thus, Wilson became the first scientist to suggest that the Earth was composed of individual plates. He also contributed to the understanding of the various displacements that occur along faults related to tectonics.
Key features
Most transform faults connect two segments of a mid-ocean ridge. These faults are part of lines of rupture in the oceanic crust known as fracture zones. These zones encompass transform faults and all the inactive extensions within the plate. Fracture zones are found approximately every 100 kilometers along the mid-ocean ridge axis.
The most active transforming faults are those found only between two displaced segments of the ridge. On the ocean floor, a segment of the ridge is produced that moves in the opposite direction from the ocean floor that is being generated. So between the two segments of the ridge the two adjacent plates are rubbing as they travel along the fault.
Moving away from the active zone of the ridge crests, we encounter some inactive zones. In these zones, fractures are preserved as topographic scars. The orientation of the fractured zones is parallel to the direction of plate movement at the time it formed. Therefore, these structures are important for mapping the direction of plate movement and the formation of transform faults.
Another role of transform faults is to provide the means by which the oceanic crust, created at the mid-ocean ridges, is transported to the destruction zones. These zones, where plates are destroyed and re-entered into the Earth's mantle, are called oceanic trenches or subduction zones.
Where are these faults?
Most transform faults are located within ocean basins. However, as mentioned earlier, there are different plate boundaries. Therefore, some faults cut through the continental crust. The most famous example is the San Andreas Fault in California. This fault causes numerous earthquakes in the city. It is so well-known that a movie was even made simulating the destruction caused by the fault.
Another example is the Alpine Fault in New Zealand. The San Andreas Fault connects a spreading center located in the Gulf of California with the Cascade subduction zone and the Mendocino transform fault, located along the northwestern coast of the United States. The Pacific Plate is moving northwest along the entire San Andreas Fault. If this movement continues, over time the Baja California region could become an island separated from the rest of the western coast of the United States and Canada.
Since this will occur on a geological timescale, there's not much cause for concern right now. What should be a major concern is the seismic activity triggered by the fault . Numerous seismic events take place in these areas. Earthquakes are a recipe for disasters, loss of property, and loss of life. The buildings in San Andrés are designed to withstand earthquakes. However, depending on the severity of the situation, it could cause real catastrophes.
As you can see, our earth and ocean crust are difficult to understand. Its operation is quite complex and its detection becomes more necessary. With this information you will be able to learn more about the transforming faults and the repercussions on the land and marine relief.