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- 1. Multiple Choice
The continuous cycle of heating, rising, cooling, and sinking that occurs in the mantle is called _________.
Convection current
Horizontal current
Vertical current
none of the choices
- 2. Multiple Choice
The boundary where plates slide past one another is called _______.
transform
divergent
stand-still
convergent
- 3. Multiple Choice
From 2010–2015, there were no earthquakes in the state of Pennsylvania. On the other hand, southern California, which is similar in size to Pennsylvania, experiences nearly 10,000 earthquakes a year.
Which of the following statements might best explain this difference in the frequency of earthquakes?
Unlike California, Pennsylvania is not situated near a plate boundary where earthquakes are frequent.
Compared to California, Pennsylvania is in a time of minimal earthquakes, but will eventually have more.
Pennsylvania sits on top of more stable crust than California does, and is therefore resistant to earthquakes.
Pennsylvania has fewer seismographs than California and is unable to detect all of the earthquakes in the region.
- 4. Multiple Choice
Based on evidence from the map shown, which statement BEST describe the interactions of the South American Plate?
The South American Plate diverges from both the African Plate and the Nazca Plate.
The South American Plate converges with both the African Plate and the Nazca Plate.
The South American Plate converges with the African Plate and diverges from the Nazca Plate
The South American Plate diverges from the African Plate and converges with the Nazca Plate.
- 5. Multiple Choice
Most volcanoes and earthquakes will occur _________________
along plate boundaries
high in the mountains
in the middle of plates
in the atmosphere
- 6. Multiple Choice
An earthquake under the ocean can cause a _______ to occur.
volcano
fault line
tsunami
convection current
- 7. Multiple Choice
An underwater earthquake can produce a large, destructive _______.
weather pattern
convergent boundary
wind system
tsunami
- 8. Multiple Choice
Plate boundaries that have convergent motion, such as the one between the Australian and Pacific Plates, are sometimes called “destructive margins”.
What statement below BEST explains why this boundary is “destructive”?
As one plate subducts under the other, the plate that subducts melts into magma and is destroyed as a plate
As one plate moves away from the other, the crust spreads and new crust upwells.
As these plates collide, valleys form that can fill with water causing a loss of land.
As these plates slide past each other, they create a transform fault where some of the material erodes away.
- 9. Multiple Choice
What evidence does THIS PICTURE provide that supports the continental drift hypothesis?
The continents fit well together.
Several continents have similar rock formations.
Similar plant fossils are found on several continents.
Similar mountain ranges are located on several continents.
- 10. Multiple Choice
Which statement best describes the continental and oceanic crusts?
The continental crust is thicker and less dense than the oceanic crust
The continental crust is thinner and less dense than the oceanic crust
The continental crust is thinner and more dense than the oceanic crust
The continental crust is thicker and more dense than the oceanic crust
- 11. Multiple Choice
An unusual type of fossil clam is found in rock layers high in the Swiss Alps of Europe. The same type of fossil clam is found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. From this, scientists conclude that:
glaciers carried the fossils up the mountains
the Rocky Mountains and Swiss Alps are both volcanic in origin
clams once lived in mountains, but have since evolved into sea-dwelling creatures.
the layers of rocks in which the fossils were found are from the same geologic age.
- 12. Multiple Choice
Which of the following word diagrams correctly represents the layers of the Earth?
Crust
Mantle
Inner Core
Outer Core
Outer Core
Mantle
Crust
Inner Core
Crust
Inner Core
Outer Core
Mantle
Crust
Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
- 13. Multiple Choice
Using the picture shown here, where would you expect to find the youngest rocks?
Letter A
Letter B
Letter C
Letter D
- 14. Multiple Choice
The volcanic eruptions at Mount St. Helens in Washington State and Kilauea in Hawaii have similarities and differences. At Kilauea, 100 homes have been destroyed since 1983, but there has been no loss of human life. However, when Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980, it destroyed many homes, 57 people were killed very quickly and it wasn’t really a mountain any more.
What additional danger do you think the eruption at Mount St. Helens had that the eruptions at Kilauea do not?
slow moving poisonous gases
super hot slow lava flows
explosive eruptions
destruction of property
- 15. Multiple Choice
The United States mainland has thousands of miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Although each coastal area is subject to dangerous storms and flooding, it is mainly the Pacific Coast that plans for tsunamis.
Which of the following BEST explains the reason why the Pacific Coast prepares and the others coast don't?
The Pacific Ocean has the deepest water.
The Pacific Ocean has more earthquakes.
The Atlantic Ocean has the shortest coastline.
The Gulf of Mexico has the narrowest beaches.
- 16. Multiple Choice
One way to mitigate, or reduce, the impact of a volcanic disaster is to have plans in place to prevent loss of life and damage to property. Analyze the map of the state of New Mexico showing volcanic hazard areas (the yellow areas).
Compare the locations of Santa Fe and Roswell.
How should officials plan for volcanic mitigation in these two communities?
Only Roswell should plan for possible volcanic activity since it is in an area of high volcanic hazards.
Only Santa Fe should plan for possible volcanic activity since it is closest to an area of high volcanic hazards.
Both cities need to plan for possible volcanic activity since mostly all of New Mexico is subject to volcanic hazards.
Neither city needs to plan for possible volcanic activity since both cities are located far from areas of volcanic hazard.
- 17. Multiple Choice
The map shows the pattern of tsunamis in the United States. Consider San Francisco and Los Angeles as examples. Interpret the data to determine which city in California is more at risk.
If you oversaw planning for tsunami risks in California, which city would you focus your attention on and why?
Los Angeles, because it is overdue for a tsunami.
Los Angeles, because it is the larger of the two cities.
San Francisco, because it is farther east than Los Angeles.
San Francisco, because it has seen more tsunamis historically.
- 18. Multiple Choice
The table shows the top ten states predicted to experience the most flooding if sea levels rise one foot. Government planners have limited money to protect people, homes, and businesses.
If you were a national flood response planner, which region of the country might you focus on due to the data presented in the chart?
Pacific Coast
Atlantic Coast
Midwest States
Southwest States
- 19. Multiple Choice
Iceland sits on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and is slowly spreading apart. Recently, scientists tracked the movement of the two parts of Iceland by fitting two stations with GPS units in the towns of Reykjavik and Hofn and one basically in the center of the island.
Based on the data, the scientists calculated that Iceland was spreading apart at a rate of 1.8 cm/yr.
How did they calculate this rate?
It is the average change in distance of the two stations
It is the difference between the two average measurements of Reykjavik and Höfn.
It is the sum of the distance Reykjavik is moving from the center of the island and the distance Höfn is moving from the center of the island
It is the difference between the distance Reykjavik is moving from the center of the island and the distance Höfn is moving from the center of the island
- 20. Multiple Choice
Iceland sits on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and is slowly spreading apart. Recently, scientists tracked the movement of the two parts of Iceland by fitting two stations with GPS units in the towns of Reykjavik and Hofn and one basically in the center of the island.
Based on the location of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge on the map, what is one criterion the scientists had to meet in order to measure the spreading of Iceland?
The stations had to be on either side of the ridge.
The stations had to be at the same elevation in order.
The stations had to be the same distance from Europe.
The stations had to be in the same time zone in order.
- 21. Multiple Choice
Iceland sits on the mid-Atlantic Ridge and is slowly spreading apart. Recently, scientists tracked the movement of the two parts of Iceland by fitting two stations with GPS units in the towns of Reykjavik and Hofn and one basically in the center of the island.
There is evidence that a few major earthquake events caused additional spreading of 15 m over the last 1000 years, or about 1.5 cm/yr. Based on this new data, should the spreading rate be revised? In what way?
Yes, the spreading rate should be revised to about 3.3 cm/yr to include the earthquake event rate.
No, the spreading rate should remain at 1.8 cm/yr because earthquakes made the land closer together, not farther apart.
No, the spreading rate should remain at 1.8 cm/yr because nobody knows how to change the math to include the additional spreading.
No, the spreading rate should remain at 1.8 cm/yr because scientists do not revise their findings just because they get new information.
- 22. Multiple Choice
In 2005, Japanese scientists and engineers built a giant earthquake shake table in response to the deadly 1995 earthquake near Kobe, Japan. A shake table is a large platform that can move in three directions, simulating an earthquake. 4 different houses (some with safety improvements and some did not) were tested until they collapsed.
Based on the results of the investigation, which house withstood the most shaking?
Model A
Model B
Model C
Model D
- 23. Multiple Choice
In 2005, Japanese scientists and engineers built a giant earthquake shake table in response to the deadly 1995 earthquake near Kobe, Japan. A shake table is a large platform that can move in three directions, simulating an earthquake. 4 different houses (some with safety improvements and some did not) were tested until they collapsed.
Based on the results of the investigation, what claim can be made regarding older homes compared to newer homes?
Newer homes with required safety improvements are as earthquake resistant as older homes with the safety improvements.
Newer homes with required safety improvements are as earthquake resistant as older homes without safety improvements.
Newer homes without required safety improvements are as earthquake resistant as older homes without safety improvement.
Newer homes without required safety improvements are as earthquake resistant as older homes with some safety improvements.
- 24. Multiple Choice
In 2005, Japanese scientists and engineers built a giant earthquake shake table in response to the deadly 1995 earthquake near Kobe, Japan. A shake table is a large platform that can move in three directions, simulating an earthquake. 4 different houses (some with safety improvements and some did not) were tested until they collapsed.
Based on the results from the investigation, how should engineers plan to improve the stability of older homes in Japan?
Tear them down and rebuild them
Require that all the safety improvements be made
Increase the earthquake safety rules for building future homes
Increase the emergency response in neighborhoods with older homes
A combination of all the other 4 answers listed here
- 25. Multiple Choice
Where would a person likely experience an earthquake?
Middle of a tectonic plate
at a tectonic plate edge
on a mountain
at a mid ocean ridge
- 26. Multiple Choice
What is the best place where a person NOT likely experience an earthquake?
Middle of a tectonic plate
At a tectonic plate edge
on a mountain
at a mid ocean ridge
- 27. Multiple Choice
What layer of Earth do we see convection currents occurring?
Crust
Mantle
Liquid Outer Core
Inner Core
- 28. Multiple Choice
What type of boundary would it be if there is a large mountain at the boundary?
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Hot spot
- 29. Multiple Choice
What type of boundary would it be if there is a rift valley?
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Hot spot
- 30. Multiple Choice
What type of boundary is sea floor spreading?
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Hot spot
- 31. Multiple Choice
What type of boundary creates a deep sea trench?
Convergent
Divergent
Transform
Hot spot
- 32. Multiple Choice
Which one of the pictures outlines the Ring of Fire?
- 33. Multiple Choice
The continuous cycle of heating, rising, cooling, and sinking that occurs in the mantle is called _________.
Horizontal current
Convection current
Vertical current
Heat current
- 34. Multiple Choice
Iceland is an ideal place to study seafloor spreading because:
The volcanoes are converging all the time
It never experiences earthquakes
It is in the center of a plate
It is above water
- 35. Multiple Choice
All of the following will improve safety factors during an earthquake EXCEPT _______.
bolt tall bookcases to the wall
stand next to a window
standing in a doorway during an earthquake
removing heavy objects from tall shelves
- 36. Multiple Choice
Which of the Hawaiian Islands has the greatest probability of having a volcanic eruption?
Kauai
Oahu
Maui
Hawaii
- 37. Multiple Choice
If each island formed as the plate moved over the magma source in the mantle as shown in diagram 2, where would the next volcanic island most likely form?
Southeast of Hawaii
Northwest of Kauai
Northeast of Hawaii
Between Hawaii and Maui
- 38. Multiple Choice
One climate clue used to support the theory of continental drift is/are _______
Seafloor spreading
How Africa and South America fit together
Glacial evidence in Africa
Fossils of the same species on different continents
- 39. Multiple Choice
Matching ______ on different continents are evidence of continental movement.
weather patterns
river systems
rock layers
crust thickness
- 40. Multiple Choice
What type of boundary will produce volcanoes?
divergent only
convergent only
transform only
divergent and convergent
convergent and transform
- 41. Fill in the Blank
Write the answer to the bonus question here.
It must be spelled correctly to get the 2 point bonus.
Wrong or blank answers will not lose points.😀
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