What characteristic defines transform boundaries?

Transform boundaries are characterized by tectonic plates that slide past one another horizontally. This lateral movement does not create or destroy lithosphere, which distinguishes transform boundaries from divergent and convergent boundaries. At transform boundaries, the movement occurs parallel to the boundary, leading to seismic activity as pressure builds up and is released in the form of earthquakes. The most well-known example of a transform boundary is the San Andreas Fault in California, where the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate interact in this lateral sliding manner. This fundamental characteristic of plates moving past each other laterally is what clearly defines transform boundaries in the context of plate tectonics.