Use your hands to simulate motion along a fault. Press your palms together and move your hands in opposite directions, as shown in the figure. Notice that friction keeps them “locked” together until...

Use your hands to simulate motion along a fault. Press your palms together and move your hands in opposite directions, as shown in the figure. Notice that friction keeps them “locked” together until the opposing forces no longer balance, friction no longer holds, and your palms slip suddenly past each other. This demonstration nicely models the sticking and slipping that occur along a transform fault.