Dynamical Instability Produces Transform Faults at Mid-Ocean Ridges

Abstract

Cracking Up Transform faults perpendicular to mid-ocean ridges are some of the most prominently visual features on the sea floor. Because they form slowly over thousands of years, the lack of observational data means their mechanism of formation has remained controversial. Taking a numerical modeling approach, Gerya (p. 1047 ) suggests that due to asymmetric growth of the plate boundary, sections of the mid-ocean ridge become unstable and eventually rotate 90°. As the ridge continues to grow, the transform faults continue to develop long after their initiation. This mechanism also explains how offsets of these transform faults occur discontinuously as a result of new fractures at the ridge.