1.
What happens to the lithosphere at transform plate boundaries?
a.
Lithosphere slides laterally over one another and blocks of crust are torn apart in a broad
shearing zone.
2.
Why are such boundaries called "transform"?
a.
Because transform plate boundaries result in large lateral displacement of rocks and a
broad zone of crustal deformation “transforming” the landscape.
3.
Where are prominent transform plate boundaries that disrupt continental crust?
a.
Prominent transform plate boundaries that disrupt continental crust include the San
Andreas Fault and the Queen Charlotte/Fairweather Fault.
4.
How destructive are earthquakes at transform plate boundaries?
a.
In terms of magnitude, earthquakes at transform plate boundaries are not the largest with
magnitudes up to 8.5. Intensities of earthquakes at transform plate boundaries can be
very destructive because they are always shallow.
5.
How far can blocks of crust move at transform plate boundaries?
a.
The San Andreas Fault moves at a rate of two inches per year, or 31.6 miles every million
years.
6.
Will California fall into the ocean?
a.
No, but portions of the state will continue to move northward on the San Andreas Fault.
7.
Is the San Andreas Fault the actual boundary between the North American and Pacific plates?
a.
The San Andreas Fault is just one of several faults between the North American and
Pacific plates.
8.
What is meant by the recurrence interval of earthquakes?
a.
Time between large earthquakes along a particular segment of a fault.
9.
How much is the land surface offset during a big earthquake along the San Andreas Fault?
a.
The San Andreas Fault moves at a rate of two inches per year, or 31.6 miles every million
years.
10.
Why isn't there much volcanic activity at transform plate boundaries?
a.
Because crust at transform plate boundaries move laterally, the change in depth and
pressure required to melt rocks isn’t present.
