Which mechanism dictates the spacing of strike-slip faults within transform fault zones on continents?

💡 Explanation

When stress increases along a transform boundary, elastic strain accumulates in the surrounding crust because frictional resistance prevents immediate slip, causing failure at regular intervals where stress exceeds crustal strength. Therefore elastic strain accumulation and release dictates fault spacing, rather than viscosity, mantle convection or sediment loading, which do not directly govern fracturing due to horizontal shear stress.

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