What geological feature is formed when two tectonic plates slide past one another?

The geological feature formed when two tectonic plates slide past one another is known as a transform boundary. At transform boundaries, the movement of the plates is primarily horizontal, leading to the development of faults such as the San Andreas Fault in California. This sliding action can cause significant seismic activity, resulting in earthquakes.

Transform boundaries do not create or destroy crust, unlike convergent and divergent boundaries. In convergent boundaries, plates move toward each other and can lead to the formation of mountains or subduction zones, while divergent boundaries involve plate movement away from each other, often resulting in mid-ocean ridges or new crust formation. Subduction zones, specifically, refer to regions where one plate moves under another, which is a different process than simple lateral movement. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for comprehending tectonic processes and their impact on Earth's geology.