6 of Earth's Greatest Unsolved Mysteries

What are tectonic plates responsible for on Earth?

• Creating new oceans and continents

• Earthquakes, volcanoes, and moving continents

• Stabilizing the Earth's core

• Changing the Earth's magnetic field

How do scientists investigate when plate tectonics began?

• By studying ancient fossils

• By analyzing mineral samples like ophiolites

• By observing current volcanic eruptions

• By measuring the Earth's rotation speed

What is a supercontinent?

• A very large ocean

• A single, giant landmass formed by continents joining together

• A type of ancient mountain range

• A large group of islands

What are the two main theories scientists use to explain supercontinent formation?

• Evaporation and condensation

• Erosion and deposition

• Extroversion and introversion

• Subduction and uplift

What are flood basalts known for?

• Creating small, temporary islands.

• Causing minor climate changes.

• Covering vast areas with thick magma and being linked to mass extinctions.

• Being a common type of volcanic eruption that happens frequently.

Which of these is a proposed cause for flood basalts?

• Asteroid impacts.

• Mantle plumes.

• Ocean currents.

• Solar flares.

What is the term for the natural drifting and wobbling of Earth's axis of rotation?

• Continental drift.

• Plate tectonics.

• Polar wander.

• Magnetic reversal.

How do scientists estimate the temperature of Earth's core?

• By drilling deep into the Earth and inserting thermometers.

• By studying how iron acts under high pressures and temperatures in laboratory experiments.

• By analyzing the temperature of volcanic lava.

• By measuring the heat released from the Earth's surface.