Critical Thinking Questions About Plate Tectonics

The movement of the tectonic plates is caused by 

• the rotation of the Earth.
• convection currents in Earth's mantle.
• 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 plate margins, 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.
  

Observe this diagram of a plate boundary. One statement does not describes what is happening. It is that...

• the oceanic crust is melting.
  
• this is typical of a subduction zone.
• volcanic islands are forming.
  
• the tectonic plates are moving away from each other.
  

The map shown would be useful in predicting the location of future

• droughts
• hurricanes
• earthquakes
• tornadoes

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
  

Which geological features MOST LIKELY prompted the development of the theory of plate tectonics?

• river deltas
• mountain ranges
• glacier fields
• tropical rainforests
  

Where are earthquakes MOST LIKELY to occur?

• close to the equator
• close to the center of tectonic plates
• along coastal regions
• along the boundaries of tectonic plates
  

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by a shift in two plates that pushed one section of the sea floor under another section of the sea floor by 5 meters. What type of boundary is this?

• divergent
• convergent
• transform
• metamorphic

___________ currents in the Earth's mantle cause plate movement which causes earthquakes and volcanic activity.

• conduction
• convection
• radiation
• ocean