How do transform faults offset segments of oceanic ridges?

Oceanic ridges are often segmented by transform faults, which act as the active boundaries where two tectonic plates slide laterally past one another. These faults connect offset segments of ridge crests, effectively transferring motion from one spreading centre to another.123

Contrary to the appearance of the ridge offset, the direction of plate motion along a transform fault is opposite to the direction of the ridge crest displacement. For example, if a ridge is offset to the left, the plates are actually moving to the right along the transform fault connecting them.1

These faults are the only seismically active portions of larger submarine fracture zones. Beyond the ridge segments, the fracture zones become inactive "scars" on the ocean floor because the seafloor on both sides of the fault belongs to the same lithospheric plate and moves in unison. Because these boundaries are conservative, plate interaction occurs without the creation or destruction of crust.132