Which mechanism causes shallow intra-plate earthquakes adjacent to transform boundaries?

💡 Explanation

When transform boundaries slip, shear stress propagates through the lithosphere because it behaves elastically, inducing stress concentrations in the surrounding plate interior, triggering earthquakes on pre-existing faults. Therefore, shear stress propagation explains these intra-plate events near transform boundaries rather than other mechanisms requiring plumes, volatiles, or sediment loading.

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