Which deformation mechanism causes increased earthquake frequency along transform plate boundaries given increased friction?

💡 Explanation

When friction increases along a transform plate boundary, the elastic rebound mechanism becomes dominant because the fault becomes locked building up elastic strain until it overcomes static friction, resulting in stick-slip cycles causing earthquakes. Therefore, elastic rebound earthquakes result, rather than ductile flow, viscous relaxation, or brittle fracturing, which require different stress or thermal conditions.

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