The border between two tectonic plates is called a plate boundary.
Plate boundaries are crucial in understanding the dynamics of the Earth’s surface. They are the regions where the edges of two tectonic plates meet, and they can be classified into three main types: convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries.
Convergent boundaries occur when two plates collide, often resulting in one plate being forced beneath another in a process known as subduction. This can lead to the formation of mountains, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.
Divergent boundaries are found where two plates move away from each other. This creates new crust as magma rises to the surface, which is commonly seen in mid-ocean ridges.
Transform boundaries occur when two plates slide past one another horizontally. The movement can sometimes cause earthquakes, like those that happen along the San Andreas Fault in California.
Understanding these boundaries helps scientists predict geological activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making plate boundaries a central concept in the study of geology and tectonics.