Example C - The Whole Shebang

In example C (shown below),

things are a bit more complex. There are two spreading centers, shown by the shaded rectangles. There is a subduction zone, shown by the line with triangles. There are also three transform faults, one each at the top and bottom, and one between the two spreading segments. I have indicated the motion of the outside plate in heavy arrows: spreading away from the spreading centers, movement to the left on both the upper and lower transform faults, and movement toward the subduction zone on the right. You would draw the skinny arrows showing spreading, sliding along the transform faults -- all three of them -- and diving into the subduction zone.

Back to Top
Back to Home Page