Plate Motion Practice Questions

Front

What happens when two tectonic plates move toward each other?

Back

One plate may go underneath the other plate, a process known as subduction.

Front

What is the term for examining something in detail for a purpose?

Back

Analyze.

Front

Why are Africa and Europe closer together now than in the past?

Back

The tectonic plates they are on have slowly moved toward each other over millions of years.

Front

What is a cross section?

Back

A cross section is a cut through an object that shows its internal structure.

Front

What is volcanic activity?

Back

Volcanic activity refers to the processes in which gas, lava, and ash are expelled onto the Earth's surface.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate moves under another plate and sinks into the mantle.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle.

Front

What are tectonic plates?

Back

Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's lithosphere that move and interact with each other.

Front

What is an earthquake?

Back

An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere.

Front

What is the difference between a fault and a fold?

Back

A fault is a break in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock have moved, while a fold is a bend in rock layers.