The Theory of Plate Tectonics

The plate tectonics theory states that…

• Continental crust “plows through” oceanic crust

• Seafloors or ocean floors move and carry the continents.

• Earth's lithosphere is composed of a massive slab of rocks called plates which moves at 10 cm a year.

• The relative position and shapes of continents as a result of continuous movement of plates of Earth’s crust.

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Tectonic plates interact at places called plate _______________

• Reversals

• Boundaries

• Regions

• Centers

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What current explains why the tectonic plates move?

• Mantle Convection

• Mantle Radiation

• Mantle Conduction

• Mantle Subduction

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The Theory of Continental Drift was ____________

• Based on the observations of the distribution of rock types, fossils, and structures in some continents.

• Accepted by most geologists during Wegener’s lifetime.

• Based on marine fossils and basalt.

• suggested that the original land forms were large islands.

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Plates move at a rate of about 10 cm per ______.

• century

• year

• month

• hour

The youngest supercontinent known is ___________ named by Alfred Wegener.

• Gondwanaland

• Laurasia

• Pangaea

• Pangaea Ultima

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At what tectonic plate boundary do plates slide horizontally past each other?

• Divergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Continental-continental boundary

• Oceanic-oceanic boundary

Places where plates move apart are called?

• Convergent boundaries

• Transform boundaries

• Subduction zones

• Divergent boundaries

Subduction is _________

• where denser plates sink under the less dense plates going to the mantle.

• where ridge valleys form.

• occurring mostly in the Atlantic Ocean.

• occurring where continental plates diverge.

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Convergence of two continental plates causes formation of _________.

• Mid-ocean ridges

• Rift valleys

• Mountain chains

• Island arcs

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