Which boundary involves two plates sliding past each other in opposite directions?

Which boundary involves two plates sliding past each other in opposite directions?

• A. Divergent boundary
• B. Transform boundary
• C. Convergent boundary
• D. Collision boundary

Answer: (B)

Two tectonic plates sliding past each other in opposite directions is the hallmark of a transform boundary. In this setting, the motion is horizontal and parallel to the boundary, producing shear stress as the rocks rub against each other along faults. This mostly causes earthquakes, with little vertical movement and without creating or destroying crust. By contrast, divergent boundaries involve plates moving apart and forming new crust, while convergent boundaries involve plates moving toward each other, often leading to subduction or mountain building. A term like collision boundary is more associated with convergent interactions, not the lateral slip seen at transform boundaries. So the described sliding past one another points to a transform boundary.

Two tectonic plates sliding past each other in opposite directions is the hallmark of a transform boundary. In this setting, the motion is horizontal and parallel to the boundary, producing shear stress as the rocks rub against each other along faults. This mostly causes earthquakes, with little vertical movement and without creating or destroying crust. By contrast, divergent boundaries involve plates moving apart and forming new crust, while convergent boundaries involve plates moving toward each other, often leading to subduction or mountain building. A term like collision boundary is more associated with convergent interactions, not the lateral slip seen at transform boundaries. So the described sliding past one another points to a transform boundary.