Editing Transform fault (section)

==Types==
In his work on transform-fault systems, geologist Tuzo Wilson said that transform faults must be connected to other faults or tectonic-plate boundaries on both ends; because of that requirement, transform faults can grow in length, keep a constant length, or decrease in length.<ref name=Wilson/> These length changes are dependent on which type of fault or tectonic structure connect with the transform fault. Wilson described six types of transform faults:

''Growing length:''  In situations where a transform fault links a spreading center and the upper block of a subduction zone or where two upper blocks of subduction zones are linked, the transform fault itself will grow in length.<ref name=Wilson/>

[[File:Spreading to upper NEW.svg|Spreading to upper NEW]] [[File:Upper to upper.svg|Upper to upper]]

''Constant length:'' In other cases, transform faults will remain at a constant length.  This steadiness can be attributed to many different causes.  In the case of ridge-to-ridge transforms, the constancy is caused by the continuous growth by both ridges outward, canceling any change in length.  The opposite occurs when a ridge linked to a subducting plate, where all the lithosphere (new seafloor) being created by the ridge is subducted, or swallowed up, by the subduction zone.<ref name=Wilson/> Finally, when two upper subduction plates are linked there is no change in length. This is due to the plates moving parallel with each other and no new lithosphere is being created to change that length.

[[File:Spreading centers constant.svg|Spreading centers constant]] [[File:Upper to down NEW.svg|Upper to down NEW]]

Decreasing length faults: In rare cases, transform faults can shrink in length.  These occur when two descending subduction plates are linked by a transform fault.  In time as the plates are subducted, the transform fault will decrease in length until the transform fault disappears completely, leaving only two subduction zones facing in opposite directions.<ref name=Wilson/>

[[File:Down to down NEW.svg|Down to down NEW]] [[File:Spreading to Down NEW.svg|Spreading to Down NEW]]