Plate Tectonics and Surface Events

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.

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.

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.
  

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

• convergent
• thrust
• divergent
• transform

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
  

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

Mounds of wind-deposited sand in deserts and on shorelines are

• sea arches
• sea stacks
• dunes
• cliffs

Which causes chemical weathering?

• acids and oxygen
• water, wind and gravity
• abrasion
• root and ice wedging

How does freezing water cause the weathering of rocks? The freezing water—

• keeps the rocks in place.

• makes the rocks last longer.

• expands cracks and breaks rocks.

• causes rocks to fall in landslides.

The process that breaks down rocks and other materials on Earth's surface is called

• Weathering

• Erosion

• Deposition

• Decomposition