Transform boundary

In plate tectonics, a transform boundary (also known as transform fault boundary, transform plate boundary, transform plate margin or conservative plate boundary) is said to occur when tectonic plates slide and grind against each other along a transform fault. The relative motion of such plates is horizontal in either sinistral or dextral direction.

Most transform boundaries are found on the ocean floor, where they often offset active spreading ridges to form a zigzag plate boundary. A few transform boundaries occur on land.

Transform boundaries

• California's San Andreas Fault
• New Zealand's Alpine Fault
• Turkey's North Anatolian Fault

See also

• Transform fault
• List of tectonic plate interactions