What occurs at transform boundaries?

At transform boundaries, the defining characteristic is that tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This lateral movement causes stress to build up in the rocks along the boundary, and when this stress is released, it results in earthquakes. Transform boundaries do not create or destroy crust; instead, they facilitate the movement of the earth's lithosphere in a manner that can be detected by geological activity.

The interaction at these boundaries is fundamentally different from what occurs at divergent boundaries (where plates move away from each other) and convergent boundaries (where plates collide or one plate subducts beneath another). Thus, the nature of plate movement at transform boundaries is unique, emphasizing sliding motion rather than any vertical displacement or separation of crust. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the geological processes that shape the Earth's surface and for predicting seismic activity.