Question

Plate boundaries where plates slide past each other are known by what name?

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

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Transform Boundary

Transform Boundaries

Transform plate boundaries are one of the three main types of plate boundaries. At these boundaries, tectonic plates slide horizontally past one another.

Key Characteristics:

• Sliding Motion: Unlike convergent (colliding) or divergent (separating) boundaries, the movement here is primarily lateral.

• No Crust Creation or Destruction: Significant amounts of new crust are not formed, nor is existing crust destroyed.

• Faults: These boundaries are characterized by large transform faults, which are zones where the rocks are fractured and displaced.

• Earthquakes: Transform boundaries are the sites of frequent and sometimes significant earthquakes. This is because the plates get locked, stress builds up, and then is suddenly released.

Famous Examples:

• San Andreas Fault (California, USA): This is the most well-known example, marking the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate.

• Alpine Fault (New Zealand): A major transform fault that runs through the South Island.

• North Anatolian Fault (Turkey): Responsible for numerous earthquakes in Turkey.

Significance in Plate Tectonics:

• Transform faults often connect segments of mid-ocean ridges or other plate boundaries.

• They play a crucial role in accommodating the differential movement of larger tectonic plates.

Exam Relevance:

• Understanding the three types of plate boundaries (convergent, divergent, transform) and their associated geological features (mountains, volcanoes, trenches, earthquakes, faults) is fundamental for geography and earth science exams.

• Knowledge of specific examples like the San Andreas Fault is often tested.