Week 21 - Quiz 1 - Seismic Introduction

What causes tectonic plates to move?

• Solar flares

• Ocean currents

• Convection in the mantle

• Wind pressure

Answer explanation

Tectonic plates move due to convection currents in the Earth’s hot, viscous mantle, which creates forces that shift the plates.

Which two tectonic plates meet beneath New Zealand?

• Eurasian and North American Plates

• African and South American Plates

• Pacific and Australian Plates

• Indian and Antarctic Plates

Answer explanation

New Zealand sits on the boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates, making it highly active seismically.

What type of movement occurs along most large faults in New Zealand?

• Purely vertical movement

• Rotational movement

• Oblique strike-slip movement

• Radial outward movement

Answer explanation

Most major faults in NZ show oblique strike-slip movement, meaning they move both sideways and vertically during tectonic activity.

What is the Pacific Ring of Fire

• A warm ocean current

• A region of underwater caves

• A zone of high volcanic and earthquake activity

• A fire prevention zone

Answer explanation

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a region around the Pacific Ocean known for frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Why is the Alpine Fault significant in New Zealand

• It is a tourist attraction

• It has not erupted for 20 years

• It is expected to produce a major earthquake in the future

• It separates the North and South Islands

Answer explanation

The Alpine Fault is a major plate boundary fault that hasn’t had a large quake in over 200 years, making it a key seismic risk.