Overview of topic 1: Plate Tectonics

The plate tectonic theory explains:

• how Earth's lithospheric plates move and interact

• the process of photosynthesis in plants

• the formation of the solar system

• the water cycle on Earth

Convection currents in the mantle cause tectonic plate movement by:

• transferring heat and causing plates to move apart or collide

• cooling the Earth's core and solidifying plates

• creating earthquakes directly at the surface

• melting the crust completely

Slab-pull force contributes to tectonic plate movement by:

• pulling the plate into the mantle at subduction zones

• pushing plates apart at mid-ocean ridges

• lifting plates upward at mountain ranges

• rotating plates around the Earth's core

Evidence of seafloor spreading includes which of the following?

• The age of rocks increases as you move away from the mid-ocean ridge

• The seafloor is completely flat and featureless

• Ocean water temperature is the same everywhere

• There are no magnetic patterns on the ocean floor

Evidence of seafloor spreading supports the plate tectonic theory because it shows that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward.

• It shows that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward.

• It proves that continents have always remained in the same position.

• It demonstrates that mountains are only formed on land.

• It indicates that the ocean floor is older than the continents.

Magnetic striping refers to:

• the pattern of magnetic minerals in oceanic crust that shows alternating stripes of normal and reversed polarity

• the process of forming mountains through tectonic activity

• the layering of sedimentary rocks in horizontal bands

• the movement of tectonic plates along fault lines

1.3 Magnetic Striping: Evidence of magnetic striping supports the plate tectonic theory because:

• it shows symmetrical patterns of magnetic minerals on either side of mid-ocean ridges, indicating seafloor spreading.

• it proves that continents have always been in their current positions.

• it demonstrates that magnetic fields never change over time.

• it shows that ocean floors are older than continents.

1.4 Processes at different plate boundaries: The different tectonic plate boundaries are:

• Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries

• Continental, oceanic, and volcanic boundaries

• Subduction, collision, and spreading boundaries

• Mantle, crust, and core boundaries

At divergent plate boundaries, which of the following processes occurs?

• Plates move apart and new crust forms

• Plates collide and mountains form

• One plate sinks beneath another

• Plates slide past each other

At convergence plate boundaries, which of the following occurs?

• Plates move towards each other and collide

• Plates move away from each other

• Plates slide past each other horizontally

• Plates remain stationary