Plate Tectonics Quiz

What was Alfred Wegener's theory about the movement of continents?

• Continental drift

• Pangaea theory

• Earthquake theory

• Volcanic eruption theory

What evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift?

• Astronomical observations, seismic activity, and erosion patterns

• Volcanic eruptions, ocean currents, and weather patterns

• Fossil evidence, rock formations, and the fit of the continents

• Magnetic field variations, lunar phases, and solar flares

Why was Alfred Wegener's theory initially met with skepticism from the scientific community?

• There was no evidence to support Wegener's theory

• The theory was too complex for the scientific community to understand

• Lacked a plausible mechanism to explain continental movement

• Wegener lacked credibility as a scientist

What is the evidence for seafloor spreading?

• Fossils found in the oceanic crust

• Age of the oceanic crust, magnetic striping, and mid-ocean ridges

• Amount of marine life near the coast

• Temperature of the ocean water

How does the age of the seafloor provide evidence for seafloor spreading?

• The age of the seafloor gets progressively younger as you move away from the mid-ocean ridges.

• The age of the seafloor remains the same regardless of the distance from the mid-ocean ridges.

• The age of the seafloor gets progressively older as you move away from the mid-ocean ridges.

• The age of the seafloor has no correlation with seafloor spreading.

What is the significance of magnetic striping on the ocean floor in supporting seafloor spreading?

• It has no significance in supporting seafloor spreading

• It is a result of underwater volcanic activity

• It provides evidence of seafloor spreading by showing the pattern of alternating magnetic polarity.

• It is caused by the movement of tectonic plates

How does plate tectonics impact the formation of mountains?

• Plate tectonics have no impact on the formation of mountains

• Mountains are formed by erosion, not plate tectonics

• Plate tectonics only impact the formation of valleys, not mountains

• Plate tectonics cause the movement of Earth's crust, leading to the formation of mountains through processes like subduction, collision, and uplift.

Explain how plate tectonics influence the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes on Earth's surface.

• The distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes is random and not related to plate tectonics

• Plate tectonics influence the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes on Earth's surface by the movement of tectonic plates.

• Earthquakes and volcanoes are caused by weather patterns

• Plate tectonics have no influence on the distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes

What was the continental drift hypothesis and how did it contribute to the development of the theory of plate tectonics?

• The continental drift hypothesis suggested that the continents were once connected and have since moved closer together, causing earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

• The continental drift hypothesis proposed that the continents have always been in their current positions and have never moved.

• The continental drift hypothesis claimed that the continents were formed by a series of catastrophic events, such as asteroid impacts and massive floods.

• The continental drift hypothesis suggested that the continents were once connected and have since moved apart, providing evidence for the movement of the Earth's lithosphere and the formation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges.

What are the major differences between the continental drift hypothesis and the theory of plate tectonics?

• The continental drift hypothesis was proposed by a geologist, while the theory of plate tectonics was proposed by a meteorologist

• The continental drift hypothesis is based on solid evidence, while the theory of plate tectonics is purely speculative

• The major difference is that the continental drift hypothesis focuses on the movement of continents, while the theory of plate tectonics encompasses the movement of the Earth's lithosphere.

• The continental drift hypothesis only applies to the movement of oceanic plates, while the theory of plate tectonics applies to the movement of continental plates