Plate Tectonics 3 - Assessment

1.

Multiple Choice

1 min

12 pts

The movement of the tectonic plates is caused by

the rotation of the Earth.

convection currents in the Asthenosphere

the gravity of the iron-nickel core.

the Moho discontinuity.

2.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

In some areas of the world, like California and Japan, earthquakes are a common occurrence. How can this best be explained?

The strong ocean currents are undermining both areas causing earthquakes.

Both areas are located near the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the unstable sand causes earthquakes.

Both areas are subjected to strong ocean wind and waves that causes earthquakes.

Both areas are on the boundary of active plates, the motion of the plates causes earthquakes.

3.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

Subduction zones occur on Earth where dense oceanic crust dives under more buoyant continental crust. These boundaries are characterized by a deep ocean trench next to a high continental mountain range, large numbers of earthquakes and volcanoes. All of this is further evidence for the

big bang theory.

theory of plate tectonics.

origin of the species.

theory of natural selection.

4.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

There are three types of plate boundaries. Which choice is NOT a type of plate boundary?

convergent

thrust

divergent

transform

5.

Multiple Choice

30 sec

1 pt

Observe this diagram of a plate boundary. One statement BEST describes what is happening. It is that

the oceanic crust is melting.

the denser ceanic crust is subducting under the less dense oceanic crust

volcanic islands are forming.

the tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

6.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

1 pt

The map in the picture shows tectonic plate boundaries. This map would be useful in predicting the location of future

droughts

hurricanes

earthquakes

tornadoes

7.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

What geological forces might be responsible for this range of mountains?

diverging tectonic plates

erosion of the land by the ocean

converging tectonic plates

deposition of sediments by the ocean

8.

Multiple Choice

45 sec

1 pt

Earthquake epicenters (center of where the earthquakes started) were mapped for a 35 year period in the diagram above. The black dots indicate these epicenters. The black dots appear along what feature on Earth?

hot spots

plate boundaries

rift zones

sea floor spreading

9.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

The Earth’s surface is not a solid surface but is divided into

several oceanic plates.

continental and crustal plates.

seven continental plates.

continental and oceanic plates.

10.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

Geologists have long recognized that earthquakes are not randomly distributed on Earth but occur in concentrated areas that coincide with __________ and provide evidence for the theory of ___________ .

mountain ranges; fault zones.

continental borders; supercontinents.

plate boundaries; plate tectonics

areas of liquid magma; sea floor spreading.

11.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

Which geological features MOST LIKELY prompted the development of the theory of plate tectonics?

river deltas

mountain ranges

glacier fields

tropical rainforests

12.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

1 pt

Where are earthquakes MOST LIKELY to occur?

close to the equator

close to the center of tectonic plates

at divergent or convergent plate boundaries

at transform plate boundaries

13.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

1 pt

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by a shift in two plates that pushed one section of the sea floor under another section of the sea floor by 5 meters. What type of boundary is this?

divergent

convergent

transform

metamorphic

14.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

The image shows the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high tectonic activity. What evidence supports the theory that the tectonic activity of the region is due to the subduction of tectonic plates?

The region is bound by many oceanic trenches.

North America seems to be colliding with Asia at the north of the ring.

The Asia-Pacific region is dotted by many small and large islands

The landmasses look like they would fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

15.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

The Atlantic Ocean gets about 3-5 ______ wider each year.

centimeters

kilometers

miles

meters

16.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

___________ currents in the Earth's asthenosphere cause plate to shift at their boundaries. This movement also causes earthquakes and volcanic activity.

conduction

convection

radiation

ocean

17.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

Observe the plate boundary shown here. What type of plate boundary is this? Many geologic events occur at these boundaries. Some are shown, but one is missing. What geologic event would you predict would occur at this plate boundary?

convergent oceanic-oceanic plate boundary; volcano

divergent oceanic-oceanic plate boundary; sea floor spreading

convergent oceanic-continental plate boundary; earthquake

convergent continental-continental plate boundary; mountain building

18.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

What is the source of energy that drives plate movement?

the subducton of the sea floor

the different densities of the oceanic and crustal plates

convection currents in the asthenosphere

the friction force between the plates that move past each other

19.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

Where would sea floor spreading most likely occur?

At convergent boundaries (oceanic vs. oceanic)

At convergent boundaries (oceanic vs. continental)

At divergent plate boundaries (oceanic vs. oceanic)

At transform plate boundaries

20.

Multiple Choice

20 sec

12 pts

The Marianas Trench, where the Pacific Plate descends under the leading edge of the Eurasian Plate, is the deepest sea floor in the world. These ocean trenches form when two oceanic plates collide

and the older, less dense of the two plates rides over the edge of the older plate.

when convection currents in the mantle force the older plate downward.

and the younger, denser of the two plates, rides over the edge of the older plate.

and the plates are approximately the same age and density.

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