Transform fault is a type of fault that occurs along the boundaries of tectonic plates. It is characterized by the horizontal movement of the plates in a sideways or lateral direction, resulting in a shearing or slipping motion. Transform faults are also known as strike-slip faults because the dominant movement is horizontal and parallel to the strike or trend of the fault.

Key points:
- Transform faults are commonly found on the ocean floor, especially along the mid-oceanic ridges where tectonic plates are spreading apart.
- They connect segments of mid-oceanic ridges and are responsible for accommodating the lateral movement of the plates.
- Transform faults are characterized by the absence of vertical displacement or significant uplift or subsidence of the Earth's crust.
- The movement along transform faults is typically smooth and continuous, without the occurrence of large earthquakes or significant release of seismic energy.
- However, occasional earthquakes can still occur along transform faults, especially if there is a buildup of stress and strain due to the friction between the plates.

Characteristics of transform faults:
- Transform faults have a linear or curvilinear geometry and can extend for hundreds or even thousands of kilometers.
- The movement along transform faults can be either right-lateral or left-lateral, depending on the relative motion of the plates involved.
- Right-lateral transform faults are characterized by the right side of the fault moving towards an observer standing on the opposite side of the fault.
- Left-lateral transform faults are characterized by the left side of the fault moving towards an observer standing on the opposite side of the fault.
- The San Andreas Fault in California is a well-known example of a right-lateral transform fault.

Conclusion:
In summary, a transform fault is a strike-slip fault that occurs along the boundaries of tectonic plates, allowing for the horizontal movement of the plates in a lateral direction. Transform faults are important features on the ocean floor and play a crucial role in plate tectonics by accommodating the sideways movement of the plates.