Why do earthquakes occur between offset ridge segments along transform faults?

Earthquakes occur between offset ridge segments along transform faults because these areas serve as active plate boundaries where two tectonic plates slide laterally past one another.12

Unlike the inactive portions of fracture zones found on ridge flanks, the segments of these faults located between spreading centres are seismically active. As the plates move, their surfaces—which are rarely smooth—can become temporarily locked due to friction. This causes stress to accumulate along the fault line. When this built-up pressure is suddenly released, it results in an earthquake.32

These transform faults are essential to the plate tectonics model, as they accommodate the horizontal motion of plates as they diverge from oceanic ridges. Because these boundaries are conservative, plate interaction occurs here without the creation or destruction of crust, focusing the seismic activity on the horizontal shear motion between the plates.132