Which boundary type is characterized by tectonic plates that slide past one another?

The correct answer is the transform boundary. This type of boundary is specifically characterized by tectonic plates that move horizontally past one another. The movement along transform boundaries is primarily lateral, which can lead to significant geological activity, including earthquakes. One well-known example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas Fault in California, where the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate slide past each other.

Divergent boundaries, in contrast, are where tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new crust, often seen at mid-ocean ridges. Convergent boundaries occur when plates move toward one another, leading to one plate being forced under another, which can create mountain ranges or cause volcanic activity. Subduction boundaries are a specific type of convergent boundary where one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another into the mantle. Thus, the defining feature of a transform boundary relates directly to the lateral movement of plates, making it distinct from the other types mentioned.