Understanding Tectonic Plate Movements

How do convection currents in the mantle contribute to the movement of tectonic plates?

• They create magnetic fields that push the plates.

• They cause the mantle to expand and contract, moving the plates.

• They generate heat that melts the plates, causing them to move.

• They circulate hot and cold material, creating a flow that moves the plates.

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Which type of plate boundary is most likely to result in the formation of a mountain range?

• Divergent boundary

• Convergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Subduction zone

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Explain how subduction leads to the formation of oceanic trenches.

• Subduction causes the ocean floor to rise, forming trenches.

• Subduction results in the melting of the oceanic plate, creating trenches.

• Subduction pulls one plate beneath another, creating a deep trench.

• Subduction pushes two plates apart, forming a trench.

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What is the primary process responsible for seafloor spreading?

• The collision of tectonic plates

• The movement of magma at mid-ocean ridges

• The erosion of oceanic crust

• The sinking of oceanic plates into the mantle

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Analyze the impact of tectonic activity on the Earth's surface.

• It causes the Earth to shrink over time.

• It leads to the formation of new landforms and earthquakes.

• It results in the cooling of the Earth's core.

• It prevents the formation of volcanoes.

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How do transform boundaries differ from other types of plate boundaries in terms of tectonic activity?

• They create new crust.

• They destroy old crust.

• They slide past each other without creating or destroying crust.

• They cause the plates to move vertically.

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Evaluate the role of mantle convection in the process of seafloor spreading.

• Mantle convection cools the ocean floor, causing it to contract.

• Mantle convection pushes magma to the surface, creating new oceanic crust.

• Mantle convection pulls the oceanic crust apart, forming valleys.

• Mantle convection causes the ocean floor to sink, forming trenches.

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What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?

• The presence of similar fossils on different continents

• The uniform age of rocks across the ocean floor

• The lack of volcanic activity along plate boundaries

• The absence of earthquakes in tectonically active regions

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Describe the process that occurs at a divergent plate boundary.

• Plates move towards each other, causing subduction.

• Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

• Plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and form new crust.

• Plates collide, forming mountain ranges.

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How does the process of subduction contribute to volcanic activity?

• Subduction causes the ocean floor to cool, preventing volcanic eruptions.

• Subduction melts the subducted plate, creating magma that can lead to volcanic eruptions.

• Subduction pushes magma away from the surface, reducing volcanic activity.

• Subduction creates a vacuum that prevents volcanic eruptions.

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