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Plate Tectonics

Total questions: 82

Worksheet time: 2hrs 27mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
This boundary is described by two plates moving away from eachother along the edges and separating. The resulting gap allows magma to rise and create new crust, forming new lithosphere. 
a)
Convergent Boundary 
b)
Divergent Boundary  
c)
Transform Boundary
2.
This boundary is described as two plates moving past eachother ALONG THE EDGES horizontally.  These boundaries will get stuck or lock against eachother causing earthquakes when they slip and release. 
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
3.
This boundary is described as moving toward one another  When the plates are both continental plates the will crumple up and form a mountains. When they are continental and oceanic plates, subduction occurs  and earthquakes and volcanoes form. 
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
4.
Trenches, deep underwater canyons on the sea floor are created at this type of boundary 
a)
Divergent
b)
Convergent, Subduction Zone
c)
Transform 
5.
New crust is created at this type of  boundary.
a)
Divergent
b)
Convergent, Subduction Zone
c)
Transform 
6.
Mountains are created at this type of  boundary.
a)
Divergent 
b)
Convergent
c)
Transform 
7.
Mid Ocean Ridge Formation  is created at this type of  boundary.
a)
Divergent 
b)
Convergent
c)
Transform 
8.
The cracks in Earth's crust are called ___________.
a)
tectonic plates
b)
faults
c)
magma
d)
lava
9.
What are the puzzle pieces of the Earth's surface called?
a)
Tectonic plates
b)
Puzzles
c)
Earthquakes
10.
The area around the Pacific Ocean where lots of earthquakes and volcanoes happen is called the ____________.
a)
Ring of Earth
b)
Ring of Fire
c)
Ring of Stone
d)
Ring of Diamond
11.

This famous fault in California has a lot of earthquakes!

a)

New Madrid

b)

Denali Fault

c)

Ramapo Seismic Zone

d)

San Andreas Fault

12.

What type of boundary is shown in the diagram?

a)

Divergent

b)

Convergent

c)

Transform

13.

What type of boundary is shown in the diagram?

a)

Divergent

b)

Convergent

c)

Slide/Transform

14.

What type of boundary is shown in the diagram?

a)

Divergent

b)

Convergent

c)

Slide/Transform

15.

The movement of the tectonic plates is caused by

a)

the rotation of the Earth.

b)

convection currents in the Asthenosphere

c)

the gravity of the iron-nickel core.

d)

the Moho discontinuity.

16.

In some areas of the world, like California and Japan, earthquakes are a common occurrence. How can this best be explained?

a)

The strong ocean currents are undermining both areas causing earthquakes.

b)

Both areas are located near the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the unstable sand causes earthquakes.

c)

Both areas are subjected to strong ocean wind and waves that causes earthquakes.

d)

Both areas are on the boundary of active plates, the motion of the plates causes earthquakes.

17.
Subduction zones occur on Earth where dense oceanic crust dives under more buoyant continental crust. These boundaries are characterized by a deep ocean trench next to a high continental mountain range, large numbers of earthquakes and volcanoes. All of this is further evidence for the
a)
big bang theory.
b)
theory of plate tectonics.
c)
origin of the species.
d)
theory of natural selection.
18.
There are three types of plate boundaries. Which choice is NOT a type of plate boundary?
a)
convergent
b)
thrust
c)
divergent
d)
transform
19.

Observe this diagram of a plate boundary. One statement BEST describes what is happening. It is that

a)

the oceanic crust is melting.

b)

the denser ceanic crust is subducting under the less dense oceanic crust

c)

volcanic islands are forming.

d)

the tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

20.

The map in the picture shows tectonic plate boundaries. This map would be useful in predicting the location of future

a)

droughts

b)

hurricanes

c)

earthquakes

d)

tornadoes

21.
What geological forces might be responsible for this range of mountains?
a)
diverging tectonic plates
b)
erosion of the land by the ocean
c)
converging tectonic plates
d)
deposition of sediments by the ocean
22.

Earthquake epicenters (center of where the earthquakes started) were mapped for a 35 year period in the diagram above. The black dots indicate these epicenters. The black dots appear along what feature on Earth?

a)

hot spots

b)

plate boundaries

c)

rift zones

d)

sea floor spreading

23.
The Earth’s surface is not a solid surface but is divided into
a)
several oceanic plates.
b)
continental and crustal plates.
c)
seven continental plates.
d)
continental and oceanic plates.
24.
Geologists have long recognized that earthquakes are not randomly distributed on Earth but occur in concentrated areas that coincide with __________ and provide evidence for the theory of ___________ .
a)
mountain ranges; fault zones.
b)
continental borders; supercontinents.
c)
plate boundaries; plate tectonics
d)
areas of liquid magma; sea floor spreading.
25.

Where are earthquakes MOST LIKELY to occur?

a)

close to the equator

b)

close to the center of tectonic plates

c)

at divergent or convergent plate boundaries

d)

at transform plate boundaries

26.

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was caused by a shift in two plates that pushed one section of the sea floor under another section of the sea floor by 5 meters. What type of boundary is this?

a)

divergent

b)

convergent

c)

transform

d)

metamorphic

27.
The image shows the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high tectonic activity. What evidence supports the theory that the tectonic activity of the region is due to the subduction of tectonic plates?
a)
The region is bound by many oceanic trenches.
b)
North America seems to be colliding with Asia at the north of the ring.
c)
The Asia-Pacific region is dotted by many small and large islands
d)
The landmasses look like they would fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
28.
The Atlantic Ocean gets about 3-5 ______ wider each year.
a)
centimeters
b)
kilometers
c)
miles
d)
meters
29.

___________ currents in the Earth's asthenosphere cause plate to shift at their boundaries. This movement also causes earthquakes and volcanic activity.

a)

conduction

b)

convection

c)

radiation

d)

ocean

30.
Observe the plate boundary shown here. What type of plate boundary is this? Many geologic events occur at these boundaries. Some are shown, but one is missing. What geologic event would you predict would occur at this plate boundary?
a)
convergent oceanic-oceanic plate boundary; volcano
b)
divergent oceanic-oceanic plate boundary; sea floor spreading
c)
convergent oceanic-continental plate boundary; earthquake
d)
convergent continental-continental plate boundary; mountain building
31.

What is the source of energy that drives plate movement?

a)

the subducton of the sea floor

b)

the different densities of the oceanic and crustal plates

c)

convection currents in the asthenosphere

d)

the friction force between the plates that move past each other

32.

Where would sea floor spreading most likely occur?

a)

At convergent boundaries (oceanic vs. oceanic)

b)

At convergent boundaries (oceanic vs. continental)

c)

At divergent plate boundaries (oceanic vs. oceanic)

d)

At transform plate boundaries

33.

The Marianas Trench, where the Pacific Plate descends under the leading edge of the Eurasian Plate, is the deepest sea floor in the world. These ocean trenches form when two oceanic plates collide

a)

and the older, less dense of the two plates rides over the edge of the older plate.

b)

when convection currents in the mantle force the older plate downward.

c)

and the younger, denser of the two plates, rides over the edge of the older plate.

d)

and the plates are approximately the same age and density.

34.
What type of plate boundary is this?
a)
Plate
b)
Divergent
c)
Convergent
d)
Transform
35.
What type of event will occur at this boundary?
a)
Earthquake
b)
Volcano Eruption
c)
Tornado
d)
Mountain Building
36.
A divergent boundary occurs when plates ....
a)
Pull apart
b)
Come together
c)
Slide past each other
d)
subducting
37.
What type of plate boundary is this?
a)
Transform
b)
Convergent
c)
Divergent
d)
Plate
38.
Where would the oldest rock be found?
a)
L
b)
M
c)
N
d)
O
39.
How is it possible for new crust to be formed without increasing the surface area of the Earth?
a)
Crust is destroyed at the same time it is created
b)
New crust is underwater where it sinks
c)
New crust breaks more easily than old crust
40.
Mountains are created when....
a)
Two continental plates collide
b)
Two oceanic plates pull apart
c)
An Oceanic plate subducts under a Continental Plate
d)
Two continental plates pull apart
41.
The Great Rift Valley in Africa and the Mid-Ocean Ridge were all created by this boundary
a)
Divergent
b)
Convergent
c)
Reform
d)
Transform
42.
A subduction zone is formed...
a)
when one tectonic plate sinks below another
b)
at every type of convergent plate boundary
c)
at every type of divergent plate boundary
d)
at transform boundaries
43.
What was the name of the supercontinent?
a)
The world
b)
Pangea
c)
Land
d)
Chick-Fil-A
44.
What was Wegener's hypothesis called?
a)
The Pangea 
b)
Moving Continents 
c)
The Continental Drift
d)
Techtonic Plates
45.
What evidence helped Wegener support his theory?
a)
Climate
b)
 Fossils
c)
Land Features
d)
All of the Above
46.
The OLDEST seafloor is located? 
a)
Closest to the mid-ocean ridge
b)
Farthest from the mid-ocean ridge
47.
True or False : Sea-floor Spreading adds new material to the ocean floor?
a)
True
b)
False
48.
New crust is always formed at the...
a)
mid-ocean ridge
b)
deep-ocean trench
c)
asthenosphere
49.
If there are MORE mid-ocean ridges than subduction zones, what happens to the ocean?
a)
It gets larger
b)
It gets smaller
c)
It sinks
50.
Older crust is found towards the...
a)
Mid-ocean ridge
b)
Deep-ocean trench
c)
Asthenosphere
51.

Which statement is true?

a)

The theory of plate tectonics + sea floor spreading = continental drift

b)

The theory of sea floor spreading + continental drift = plate tectonics

c)

The theory of continental drift + plate tectonics = sea floor spreading

52.

Who discovered sea floor spreading?

a)

Harry Hess

b)

Alfred Wegener

c)

Mr. Koob

d)

Mrs. Moody

53.

What words describe M? choose all

a)

deep ocean trench

b)

mid ocean ridge

c)

sea floor spreading

d)

subduction

54.

What feature is at C?

a)

Deep ocean trench

b)

Mid ocean ridge

c)

sea floor spreading

d)

subduction

55.

What is the process happening at R?

a)

Deep ocean trench

b)

mid ocean ridge

c)

subduction

d)

sea floor spreading

56.
Which type of wave arrives first during an earthquake?
a)
Primary (p-wave) waves
b)
Secondary (s-wave) waves
c)
Rayleigh Waves
d)
Love Waves
57.
What kind of wave travels through the earth?
a)
Seismic Wave
b)
Ocean Wave
c)
Light Wave
58.
An s-wave is an example of what type of wave?
a)
Longitudinal
b)
Converse
c)
Transverse
d)
Ocean
59.
A p-wave is an example of
a)
Longitudinal
b)
Transverse
c)
Converse
d)
Ocean
60.

Main type of seismic waves that can only travel through the surface of the Earth.

a)

seismic waves

b)

surface waves

c)

body waves

d)

primary waves

61.

This is considered as the fastest kind of seismic waves.

a)

Love waves

b)

Body waves

c)

Primary waves

d)

Secondary waves

62.

It can travel through solids only

a)

Love waves

b)

Rayleigh waves

c)

Primary waves

d)

Secondary waves

63.
Which body wave is pictured?
a)
P-Wave
b)
S-Wave
c)
Rayleigh Wave
d)
Love Wave
64.

Rank the seismic waves in order of appearance when an earthquake first occurs as measured by a seismograph.

a)

S waves, P waves, then surface waves

b)

P waves, S waves, then surface waves

c)

S and P waves at the same time, then surface waves

d)

Surface waves, then S and P waves at the same time

65.
Who is the German Scientist that came up with the theory of the Continental Drift? 
a)
Albert Einstein 
b)
Ms. Stukel 
c)
Galileo
d)
Alfred Wegener
66.
What are the three types of Evidence that supports Alfred Wegener's Theory? 
a)
Fossils, Fish, and Land
b)
Sedimentary, Magma, and Climate
c)
Fossils, Land forms, and Climate
d)
Climate, Land forms, and Metamorphic rock 
67.
Where did Wegener find plant fossils that today would not be able to survive on that type of land?
a)
North America
b)
Antarctica
c)
China 
d)
India
68.
This is a picture of glacier scars found in Africa.  What are these evidence for?
a)
Africa has always been near the equator
b)
Africa was once in an area of the Earth that had a very cold climate
c)
The continents have not moved
d)
sea floor spreading
69.
The following are animal fossil evidences of the Continental Drift theory except?
a)
Glossopteris
b)
Cynognathus
c)
Lystrosaurus
d)
Mesosaurus
70.
What does the theory of continental drift state?
a)
The continents were once joined in a super-continent and have moved over time
b)
Continents are stationary and do not move
c)
The Earth is broken into lithospheric plates that move due to convection currents
d)
none of the above
71.

Earth's outermost compositional layer.

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Crust

c)

Asthenosphere

d)

Mantle

72.

The compositional layer of hot, viscous, magma between Earth's crust and core.

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Outer Core

d)

Inner Core

73.

The liquid layer of the Earth's core. Very dense.Made of heavy metals.

a)

Outer Core

b)

Inner Core

74.

An extremely dense sphere of solid iron and nickel at the center of Earth

a)

Outer Core

b)

Inner Core

75.

Force responsible for pulling the densest materials to the core of the Earth.

a)

Radioactivity

b)

Magnetism

c)

Gravity

d)

Elon Musk

76.

The rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. Earth's outermost physical layer.

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Asthenosphere

c)

Mesosphere

d)

Core

77.

Solid, putty-like layer made up of the upper mantle. It's the physical layer below the lithosphere.

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Astehnosphere

c)

Mesosphere

d)

Core

78.

The physical layer beneath the asthenosphere. It's the strong, lower part of the mantle between the asthenosphere and the outer core.

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Asthenosphere

c)

Mesosphere

d)

Core

79.
Which layer of Earth is solid and why?
a)
The inner core is solid because of movement of the outer core.
b)
The inner core is solid because of the freezing temperatures.
c)
The inner core is solid because of the extreme pressure from the other layers.
d)
The outer core is solid because of the extreme pressure from the other layers.
80.

How are the materials of the Earths core different from those of the crust (in general)?

a)

They are harder

b)

They are more dense

c)

They are older

d)

They are darker in color

81.

Which area of the Earth is least dense ?

a)

Outer core

b)

inner core

c)

mantle

d)

crust

82.

How do scientists know the Earth has layers?

a)

Drilling into the mantle

b)

Volcanoes

c)

Seismic waves data

d)

ocean waves

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