Transform Plate Boundaries
Transform plate boundaries occur where two plates slide horizontally past each other with minimal vertical movement. The plates grind against each other, causing friction and building stress that is released suddenly as earthquakes. These boundaries are also called conservative or passive margins.
Real World
The San Andreas Fault in California, where the Pacific and North American plates slide past each other, caused the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake that destroyed over 80% of the city.
Exam Focus
State that no crust is created or destroyed at transform boundaries — using the term 'conservative' shows precise geographical vocabulary.
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