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Plate tectonics

Total questions: 88

Worksheet time: 2hrs 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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.

2.

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.

3.
There are three types of plate boundaries. Which choice is NOT a type of plate boundary?
a)
convergent
b)
thrust
c)
divergent
d)
transform
4.

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.

5.

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

6.
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
7.

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

8.

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

9.

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

10.
The Atlantic Ocean gets about 3-5 ______ wider each year.
a)
centimeters
b)
kilometers
c)
miles
d)
meters
11.

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

12.
A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other is called
a)
Divergent Boundary
b)
Convergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
13.
Scientists hypothesize that a super continent existed 200 million years ago.  This continent is called
a)
America
b)
Super Earth
c)
Pangea
d)
Eurasia
14.
A Plate Boundary where two plates move toward each other is called
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
15.
Convergent Plate Movement can create
a)
Rifts
b)
Mountains
c)
Ocean Ridges
d)
Radiation
16.
Mountains form from ...
a)
plates sliding past one another
b)
collision of plates
c)
plates moving away from each other
17.
During sea floor spreading, molten material rises up from the mantle...
a)
along the continents
b)
at the mid ocean ridges
c)
deep ocean trenches
d)
at north and south poles
18.
Which of the following is where one plate slides under another plate?
a)
submarine zone
b)
divergence zone
c)
subduction zone
d)
lower zone
19.
The area around the pacific plate where boundaries form is called...
a)
death ring
b)
fire zone
c)
ring of fire
d)
zone of fire
20.
Associated with transform boundaries.
a)
Volcanoes
b)
mountains
c)
trenches
d)
earthquakes
21.
A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other is called
a)
Divergent Boundary
b)
Convergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
22.
Scientists hypothesize that a super continent existed 200 million years ago.  This continent is called
a)
America
b)
Super Earth
c)
Pangea
d)
Eurasia
23.
A Plate Boundary where two plates move toward each other is called
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
24.
What is the difference between the lithosphere and asthenosphere that makes up the mantle?
a)
The lithosphere is ismade of dense solid meal whle the asthenosphere is made of liquid molten metal
b)
The lithosphere is a mixture of gasses while the asthenosphere is made of solid rock
c)
The lithosphere is molten rock that moves while the asthenosphere is ridid and thin
d)
The lithosphere is made of solid rock while the asthenosphere is more flexible hot rock that moves.
25.
Convergent Plate Movement can create
a)
Rifts
b)
Mountains
c)
Ocean Ridges
d)
Radiation
26.
A Plate Boundary where two plates move toward each other is called
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
27.
_______________ Currents within the mantle cause the earth's plates to move and shift s molten material rises and falls due to density and gravity
a)
Convection
b)
Radiation
c)
Conduction
d)
Wind
28.
Divergent Plate movement can create
a)
Convection Currents
b)
Conduction
c)
Mountains
d)
Rifts and ocean ridges
29.
When pressure builds between two tectonic plates, it can suddenly release causing a (an) ______________________
a)
Earthquake
b)
Volcano
c)
Convection Current
d)
Gravitational Pull
30.
The movement of metals within the earth's outer core cause a ____________________________ that is detectable on the earth's surface using a compass
a)
Gravitational Pull
b)
Volcanic Eruption
c)
Magnetic field
d)
Convection Current
31.

Earth's plates meet at ____________.

a)

plate tectonics

b)

plate boundaries

c)

continental drift

d)

oceans

32.

Breaks in the crust called __________ form where plates meet.

a)

mountains

b)

rift valleys

c)

faults

d)

trenches

33.

Plates slide past each other at _________________ boundaries.

a)

divergent

b)

convergent

c)

transform

d)

universal

34.

Which theory describes the motion of the force driving Earth's Plates?

a)

continental drift

b)

plate tectonics

c)

first law of motion

d)

third law of motion

35.

What is the motion of Earth's plates like?

a)

fast and in stages

b)

slow and in stages

c)

fast and constant

d)

slow and constant

36.
A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other is called
a)
Divergent Boundary
b)
Convergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
37.
A Plate Boundary where two plates move toward each other is called
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
38.
Convergent Plate Movement can create
a)
Rifts
b)
Mountains
c)
Ocean Ridges
d)
Radiation
39.
Divergent Plate movement can create
a)
Convection Currents
b)
Conduction
c)
Mountains
d)
Rifts and ocean ridges
40.
When pressure builds between two tectonic plates, it can suddenly release causing a (an) ______________________
a)
Earthquake
b)
Volcano
c)
Convection Current
d)
Gravitational Pull
41.
The movement of metals within the earth's outer core cause a ____________________________ that is detectable on the earth's surface using a compass
a)
Gravitational Pull
b)
Volcanic Eruption
c)
Magnetic field
d)
Convection Current
42.
Created by a divergent boundary.
a)
Rocky Mountains
b)
Mariana Trench
c)
Mid Atlantic ridge
43.
Mountains form from ...
a)
plates sliding past one another
b)
collision of plates
c)
plates moving away from each other
44.
During sea floor spreading, molten material rises up from the mantle...
a)
along the continents
b)
at the mid ocean ridges
c)
deep ocean trenches
d)
at north and south poles
45.
Which of the following is where one plate slides under another plate?
a)
submarine zone
b)
divergence zone
c)
subduction zone
d)
lower zone
46.

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.

47.
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.
48.
There are three types of plate boundaries. Which choice is NOT a type of plate boundary?
a)
convergent
b)
thrust
c)
divergent
d)
transform
49.

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.

50.

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

51.
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
52.

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

53.
A plate boundary where two plates move away from each other is called
a)
Divergent Boundary
b)
Convergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
54.
Scientists hypothesize that a super continent existed 200 million years ago.  This continent is called
a)
America
b)
Super Earth
c)
Pangea
d)
Eurasia
55.
A Plate Boundary where two plates move toward each other is called
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
56.
What is the difference between the lithosphere and asthenosphere that makes up the mantle?
a)
The lithosphere is ismade of dense solid meal whle the asthenosphere is made of liquid molten metal
b)
The lithosphere is a mixture of gasses while the asthenosphere is made of solid rock
c)
The lithosphere is molten rock that moves while the asthenosphere is ridid and thin
d)
The lithosphere is made of solid rock while the asthenosphere is more flexible hot rock that moves.
57.
Convergent Plate Movement can create
a)
Rifts
b)
Mountains
c)
Ocean Ridges
d)
Radiation
58.
A Plate Boundary where two plates move toward each other is called
a)
Convergent Boundary
b)
Divergent Boundary
c)
Transform Boundary
d)
Subduction
59.
Divergent Plate movement can create
a)
Convection Currents
b)
Conduction
c)
Mountains
d)
Rifts and ocean ridges
60.
When pressure builds between two tectonic plates, it can suddenly release causing a (an) ______________________
a)
Earthquake
b)
Volcano
c)
Convection Current
d)
Gravitational Pull
61.

What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth’s layers?

a)

crust, outer core, inner core, mantle

b)

mantle, outer core, inner core, crust

c)

crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

d)

outer core, inner core, crust, mantle

62.

The San Andreas Fault in California is known as an active earthquake area. What type of

boundary is it?

a)

Converging

b)

Diverging

c)

Transform

d)

Sea Floor Spreading

63.
What are the two types of crust?
a)
continental and oceanic
b)
ocean and basin
c)
lower and upper
d)
thick and thin
64.

The Theory of Plate Tectonics says that:

Large solid pieces of Earth called Plates make up which layer of the Earth?

a)

The crust

b)

The atmosphere

c)

The inner core

d)

The mantle

65.

What is the mantle of the Earth made of?

a)

air

b)

water

c)

solid rocks

d)

molten rocks

66.

Earth's Plates move very slowly, only a few ........ a year.

a)

degrees

b)

meters

c)

kilometers

d)

centimeters

67.

This image shows all the .... of the Earth.

a)

mantles

b)

plates

c)

atmospheres

d)

volcanoes

68.

In which direction are the Plates in the picture moving?

a)

Away from each other.

b)

Toward each other.

c)

Side to side.

d)

Up and Down.

69.

In which direction are the Plates in the picture moving?

a)

Away from each other.

b)

Side by side.

c)

Toward each other.

d)

Up and down.

70.

What happens when two of Earth's Plates move side by side?

a)

A volcano is formed.

b)

An earthquake occurs.

c)

An ocean is created.

d)

A mountain is formed.

71.

What happens when two of Earth's plates move away from each other?

a)

A volcano is formed.

b)

A mountain is formed.

c)

An earthquake occurs.

d)

A crater is formed.

72.

Scientist believed that the Earth was one large .....

a)

Volcano

b)

Mountain

c)

Continent

d)

Country

73.

Which of the following can change by the movement of Earth's plates.

a)

The temperature of the Earth.

b)

The shape of the land.

c)

The amount of water on the Earth.

d)

The size of the Earth.

74.

Who is the scientist who proposed Continental Drift Theory?

a)
Albert Einstein
b)
Alfred Wegener
c)
Isaac Newton
d)
John Dalton
75.

Alfred Wegener named his single supercontinent ____________, which means "all Earth" in ancient Greek.

a)

Pandora

b)

Gandowandaland

c)

Pangea

d)

Percia

76.
What was Wegener's hypothesis called?
a)

The Theory of Pangea 

b)

The Theory of Moving Continents

c)

The Theory of Continental Drift

d)

The Theory of Techtonic Plates

77.

What type of fossils were noticed by Wegener to be found on two different continents?

a)
Leaves and flowers
b)
Ice and mountains
c)
Plants and animals
d)
Dinosaurs and reptiles
78.

True or False: The continental plates move so quickly that we can feel them.

a)

True

b)

False

79.

Most geologists think that the movement of Earth's tectonic plates is caused by

a)

the rotation of the Earth.

b)

the Earth's magnetic field.

c)

subduction.

d)

convection currents.

80.

When plates collide we get ________.

a)

crumbles

b)

volcanos

c)

trenches

d)

mountain ranges

81.
Associated with transform boundaries.
a)
Volcanoes
b)
mountains
c)
trenches
d)
earthquakes
82.
A location where two tectonic plates collide is known as a _________ boundary.
a)
Convergent
b)
Divergent
c)
Transform
d)
Spreading
83.

Which layer of Earth flows slowly and causes the crust to move?

a)

Crust

b)

Mantle

c)

Inner Core

d)

Outer core

84.

What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth’s layers?

a)

crust, outer core, inner core, mantle

b)

mantle, outer core, inner core, crust

c)

crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

d)

outer core, inner core, crust, mantle

85.
What is an earthquake?
a)
When the earth causes an upward thrust in the epicenter.
b)
When the earth moves up and down along the ocean floor.
c)

When tectonic plates slide against each other causing the earth to move. 

d)
None of the above
86.

Subduction means.....

a)

one plate goes under another plate

b)

two plates slide past each other

c)

two plate collide and form folded mountains

87.

Sea-floor spreading explains how.....

a)

new crust is created at a divergent boundary

b)

volcanoes are formed on continents

c)

deep sea trenches are formed

88.

An opening on the Earth's crust through which hot molten rock flows out from deep inside the Earth.

a)

Volcano

b)

Fault line

c)

Fold

d)

Crater

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