Bell Ringer #7 - The Plate Tectonics Revolution

What does the theory of plate tectonics explain about Earth?

• Only the formation of continents and oceans.

• The structure and behavior of Earth, including continents, oceans, mountains, valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

• Primarily the movement of Earth's core.

• How Earth's magnetic field reverses.

Which scientist first proposed the idea of moving or drifting continents, later known as continental drift?

• Marie Tharp

• Harry Hess

• Alfred Wegener

• Robert Dietz

What significant underwater feature was first mapped by Bruce Heezen and Marie Tharp in 1957?

• The Mariana Trench

• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• The Pacific Ring of Fire

• The deepest ocean basin

What process describes new seafloor being formed at mid-oceanic ridges as magma flows out, pushing older seafloor away?

• Continental subduction

• Paleomagnetism

• Seafloor spreading

• Oceanic trench formation

What geological process occurs when a denser oceanic plate dives beneath a lighter continental plate, forming deep ocean trenches?

• Seafloor spreading

• Subduction

• Paleomagnetism

• Continental drift

What is the name of the theory that describes the Earth's surface as being divided into large, moving plates?

• Continental Drift Theory

• Seafloor Spreading Theory

• Plate Tectonics Theory

• Paleomagnetism Theory

Which area is known for approximately 75% of all volcanoes and 90% of earthquakes?

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• East African Rift Valley

• Circum-Pacific Belt

• Himalayan Mountain Range

What type of plate boundary is characterized by two plates moving towards each other, often resulting in one plate being pulled beneath the other and forming volcanoes?

• Divergent plate boundary

• Transform plate boundary

• Convergent plate boundary

• Passive plate boundary

What geological feature is formed by the collision of two continental plates?

• Ocean Trench

• Mid-ocean Ridge

• Mountain Range

• Volcano

What technology is used to detect plate motion?

• Earthquake sensors

• Satellites

• Sonar

• Weather balloons