Which type of plate boundary involves plates sliding past each other?

The correct answer identifies a type of plate boundary where tectonic plates move horizontally past one another. This movement is characterized by friction between the plates, which can sometimes lead to earthquakes. The term "conservative" reflects the idea that, at these boundaries, crust is neither created nor destroyed, unlike what occurs at destructive and constructive plate boundaries.

Destructive plate boundaries occur where one plate is forced beneath another, leading to the formation of mountain ranges or volcanic activity. Constructive plate boundaries are where tectonic plates move apart, resulting in the creation of new crust, such as ocean ridges. Convergent boundaries refer to the general concept of plates coming together, which can involve subduction (as in destructive boundaries) or collision (as with mountain-building), but do not specifically describe the sliding motion characteristic of conservative boundaries.