Question

unit exam - earth systems
at transform fault boundaries, tectonic plates slowly and continuously grind alongside each other. which of the following is most likely to happen as the plates continue to grind alongside each other?
they will slowly dive underneath each other.
they will become stuck and build up friction.
they will simply glide smoothly past each other.

Explanation:

At transform - fault boundaries, the plates are moving horizontally past each other. Due to irregularities in the plate surfaces, they often become stuck, causing stress and friction to build up until an earthquake occurs to release the energy. Plates don't dive under each other at transform boundaries (that's subduction at convergent boundaries), and they don't glide smoothly because of the rough nature of the plate interfaces.

Answer:

B. They will become stuck and build up friction.