What describes a plate boundary where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally?

What describes a plate boundary where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally?

• A. Convergent Boundary
• B. Divergent Boundary
• C. Transform Boundary
• D. Subduction Zone

Answer: (C)

When plates slide past each other along a boundary, the motion is horizontal and parallel to the boundary. This type of boundary is called a transform boundary. The movement is mainly shear, as rocks on either side grind against each other, which commonly produces earthquakes along faults like the San Andreas. Convergent boundaries involve coming together and often mountain building or subduction; divergent boundaries involve pulling apart and creating new crust; a subduction zone is a feature of some convergent boundaries where one plate sinks beneath another. So the horizontal, side-by-side sliding described fits transform boundaries.

When plates slide past each other along a boundary, the motion is horizontal and parallel to the boundary. This type of boundary is called a transform boundary. The movement is mainly shear, as rocks on either side grind against each other, which commonly produces earthquakes along faults like the San Andreas.

Convergent boundaries involve coming together and often mountain building or subduction; divergent boundaries involve pulling apart and creating new crust; a subduction zone is a feature of some convergent boundaries where one plate sinks beneath another. So the horizontal, side-by-side sliding described fits transform boundaries.