Tectonic Plates and Erosional Features

Some regions of the Earth are more likely to have earthquakes, volcanoes, or hot springs than other regions. What do these places most likely have in common?

• They are regions where tectonic plates meet.

• They are regions in the northern hemisphere.

• They are regions with big cities.

• They are desert regions.

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Different types of crust react in different ways when they collide with another piece of Earth's crust. Which of the following plate collisions would most likely result in the formation of the most extensive mountain range?

• a piece of continental crust and a piece of oceanic crust meeting at a divergent boundary

• a piece of continental crust and a piece of oceanic crust meeting at a convergent boundary

• two pieces of continental crust meeting at a convergent boundary

• two pieces of oceanic crust meeting at a transform boundary

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Mountain chains can be formed by the collision of two tectonic plates. Which of the following provides the energy which pushes the tectonic plates together?

• energy from ocean currents

• energy from organisms living on the Earth

• energy from the Earth's interior

• energy from sunlight

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The Earth's crust is made up of plates that can move. Which of the following topographic features could be directly formed by the movement of the Earth's plates?

I.mid-ocean ridges

II.mountains

II.sand dunes

IV.coral reefs

• I and II only

• II, III, and IV only

• I, II, and III only

• II and III only

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The diagram shows an area with a trench.

Which of the following best explains what is happening to the oceanic crust as it is pushed below the continental crust?

• The oceanic crust erodes when it collides with the continental crust.

• The oceanic crust crystallizes when it dives below the continental crust.

• The oceanic crust joins with the continental crust.

• The oceanic crust melts as it gets pushed below the continental crust.

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The early hypothesis of _______ was based on observations that suggested continents were once joined together. Later, the theory of _______ explained why large pieces of Earth's surface move around and how many of Earth's features form.

• plate tectonics; continental drift

• gravitational force; continental drift

• continental drift; plate tectonics

• plate tectonics; gravitational force

The Atlantic Ocean is currently growing wider as its floor enlarges due to the process of sea-floor spreading. In sea-floor spreading, pieces of oceanic crust

• move sideways against each other along a transform plate boundary.

• move down in a subduction zone.

• move together along a convergent plate boundary.

• move apart along a divergent plate boundary.

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What term best describes the geologic event taking place in the above illustration?

• plate convergence

• weathering

• erosion

• seafloor spreading

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In subduction zones, dense pieces of oceanic crust are pulled downward toward the mantle. What is the result of this?

• The oceanic crust crumples and forms a mid-ocean ridge.

• New crust is formed on the opposite end of the plate as it is pulled away from its neighbor.

• The surface area of the lithosphere decreases as pieces of tectonic plates are slowly submerged.

• The oceanic crust begins to thicken and build up until it is slowly transformed into continental crust.

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An earthquake is the shaking and trembling that results from the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface. Earthquakes most commonly occur near tectonic plate boundaries.

Why is this most likely the case?

• Earthquakes can only happen near volcanic eruptions, and most volcanoes occur on or near plate boundaries.

• Tectonic plates move along, against, or away from each other at their boundaries. These movements produce earthquakes.

• Many plate boundaries are bordered or covered by the ocean. Water from the ocean seeps into earthquake fault lines, softening the rock materials so that they can move and cause earthquakes.

• Seismic waves transmit through different media at different speeds. Subduction zones at plate boundaries are ideal for transmission of these waves.

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