Plate Tectonics

In the region where two continental plates collide, what geological feature most often forms?

• an ocean

• a volcano

• a river valley

• a mountain chain

An oceanic plate subducts under a continental plate. Which of these landforms most likely results from the interaction of these plates?

• volcanic mountains

• transform boundaries

• continental shelves

• normal faults

Earthquakes are vibrations of Earth’s crust. What device is used to measure the size of an earthquake?

• barometer

• dopler radar

• depth scale

• seismograph

In an earthquake, the primary waves move through

• air

• water

• soil

• rock

Lithospheric plates have moved to form land formations on the Earth's surface. Which land formation occurs as a result of the plates folding upon one another?

• a mountain range

• an earthquake

• a volcano

• a river

Which statement best describes why fossils of the same land-dwelling species have been discovered in both South America and Africa?

• These organisms migrated to these two continents.

• These organisms were separated by the formation of new mountain ranges.

• These organisms became extinct due to climate changes on these continents.

• These organisms once lived on one large landmass that later split into two continents.

At which location does the movement of tectonic plates form isolated volcanic islands, such as Hawaii?

• transform boundary

• subduction zone

• divergent boundary

• hot spot

Which event most likely caused the formation of folded mountain ranges?

• Tectonic plates on the earth pushed together.

• Tectonic plates on the earth pulled apart.

• Tectonic plates on the earth slid past each other.

• Tectonic plates on the earth broke into small pieces.

The following mountain ranges: the Alps, Appalachians, and Himalayas are formed from

• folded rock.

• plate tectonics.

• earthquakes.

• glacial deposits.

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift around 1912. Which of these components of his theory is now known to be false?

• Similar plants and animals live on continents separated by oceans.

• All existing continents were once joined into a supercontinent.

• The boundaries of many neighboring continents fit together.

• The moon’s gravity and Earth's spin can move the continents.