In this region, the geology is dominated by the transition of the tectonic plate boundary from rift to fault.
This driving force is important when the slabs (or portions thereof) are not strongly attached to the rest of their respective tectonic plate.
Padang is located close to a tectonic plate boundary, which makes the danger of earthquakes and tsunamis high.
These values are much higher near tectonic plate boundaries where the crust is thinner.
The tectonic plate debate is an example of a controversy according to this definition.
Furthermore, they did not occur on the tectonic plate boundary, but rather in the middle of the plate.
Hotspot volcanism results in the formation of isolated mountains and mountain chains that are not necessarily on tectonic plate boundaries.
The 2004 earthquake tilted the tectonic plate under the island, lifting it by 1 to 2 metres.