The three main types of plate boundaries are:
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Transform Boundaries: These occur where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This lateral motion can lead to earthquakes. An example of this type of boundary is the San Andreas Fault in California.
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Convergent Boundaries: These boundaries form where two tectonic plates move toward each other. This can result in one plate being forced beneath another in a process known as subduction, leading to the formation of mountain ranges, deep ocean trenches, and volcanic activity. An example is the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate.
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Divergent Boundaries: These occur where two tectonic plates move away from each other. This movement allows magma to rise from below the Earth's surface, creating new crust. Divergent boundaries are often associated with mid-ocean ridges, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Each of these boundaries is associated with distinct geological features and processes.