Transform Fault
Depth: 3,950 m · Midnight Zone
The mid-ocean ridge is not one continuous band but is cut into many sections. At transform faults, these sections slide sideways past each other, and earthquakes can occur. The famous San Andreas Fault in California is a continuation of one of these faults on land.
For scientists
Transform faults offset the ridge axis sideways; only the stretch between the two ridge ends moves in opposite directions and generates earthquakes. They arise because a curved surface cannot tear open along a single straight seam. The San Andreas Fault is one such fault that, unusually, lies on land.
Source: US National Park Service
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