The border between two tectonic plates is called a plate boundary (also sometimes called a plate margin).

Quick definition

A plate boundary is simply the line or zone where two tectonic plates meet and interact with each other. These boundaries are where most earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain‑building happen on Earth.

Main types of plate boundaries

There are three main kinds of plate boundaries, depending on how the plates move relative to each other:

  • Divergent boundary – plates move away from each other (e.g., mid‑ocean ridges like the Mid‑Atlantic Ridge).
  • Convergent boundary – plates move toward each other, often forming mountains or trenches (e.g., Himalayas, Andes).
  • Transform boundary – plates slide past each other horizontally (e.g., the San Andreas Fault in California).

Simple overview table

Type of boundary| How plates move| Common features
---|---|---
Divergent| Move apart 17| Rifts, mid‑ocean ridges, new crust 17
Convergent| Move together 79| Mountains, trenches, volcanoes, strong quakes 79
Transform| Slide past each other 57| Fault lines, frequent earthquakes 57

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