Which term describes a plate boundary where two plates slide past each other in opposite directions?

• A. Transform boundary
• B. Convergent boundary
• C. Divergent boundary
• D. Radioactive dating

Answer: (A)

When two tectonic plates slide past one another, the boundary is a transform boundary. The motion is mainly horizontal, with the plates moving in opposite directions or at different speeds relative to each other, which often causes earthquakes as rocks grind and slip along faults. This differs from divergent boundaries, where plates move apart and crust is created, and convergent boundaries, where plates collide and crust is destroyed or pushed up to form mountains. Radioactive dating is a method used to determine the age of rocks, not a boundary type. A classic example is the San Andreas Fault, where the Pacific and North American plates slide past one another.