Conservative Plate Margin
Volcano Learning zone > Volcano Glossary
A conservative ( transform ) margin forms where two tectonic plates slide past each other in opposite directions.
The boundary is called a strike slip fault or transform boundary. The movement is not smooth and enormous tension is stored along the fault until it releases suddenly. This sudden release of energy forms ripples throught the earths crust called seismic waves or earthquakes. There are no volcanoes along this kind of boundary. Famous Examples include the San Andreas Fault in California