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Plate Tectonics Master Set of Questions Spring 2024

Total questions: 115

Worksheet time: 6hrs 45mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The part of the earth that includes the crust and the upper mantle and is split into tectonic plates is the
a)
lithosphere
b)
 crust
c)
asthenosphere
d)
mantle
2.
This layer is completely liquid
a)
crust
b)
inner core
c)
mantle
d)
outer core
3.
Supporting Evidence: discovery of Mid-Atlantic Ridge, core rock samples showing older rocks the farther that you get from the mid ocean ridge
a)
Continental Drift
b)
Seafloor Spreading
c)
Plate Tectonics
4.

The name for the actual lithospheric plates

a)

Tectonic Plates

b)

Plate Tectonics

c)

Pangaea

d)

Continental Drift

5.
Supporting Evidence: subduction, earthquakes, volcanoes, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, older theories
a)
Continental Drift
b)
Seafloor Spreading
c)
Plate Tectonics
6.

Alfred Wegener's theory stating the continents were once joined in a large mass that broke apart is ___________.

a)

Continental Drift

b)

Seafloor Spreading

c)

Plate Tectonics

d)

Pangaea

7.
The process for new oceanic lithosphere forming at mid ocean ridges
a)
Continental Drift
b)
Seafloor Spreading
c)
Plate Tectonics
d)
Pangaea
8.
The circular pattern of heating, rising, cooling, sinking of magma in the mantle causing tectonic plates to move.
a)
Plate Tectonics
b)
Convection Currents
c)
Pangaea
d)
Subduction
9.

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is formed at this type of boundary.

a)

Divergent

b)

Convergent

c)

Normal

d)

Transform

10.
Faults can occur at plate boundaries, near boundaries, and at other weakened areas of crust.
a)
True
b)
False
11.
Continental crust is more dense than oceanic crust.
a)
True
b)
False
12.
Hot spots are volcanically active areas that are not near tectonic plate boundaries.
a)
True
b)
False
13.
The youngest material of the ocean floor is found at mid-ocean _________.
a)
ridges
b)
trenches
c)
basins
d)
rifts
14.

The presence of the same ________ on several continents supports the idea of continental drift.

a)

rocks

b)

fossils

c)

fossils and rocks

d)

neither fossils nor rocks

15.
A lack of evidence for continental drift prevented many scientists from believing a single supercontinent called _________ existed.
a)
Glossopteris
b)
Pangaea
c)
Gondwanaland
d)
Mesosaurus
16.

The theory of _______ states that Earth’s crust and upper mantle are broken into pieces (or plates) that are in constant, slow motion.

a)

plate tectonics

b)

continental drift

c)

seafloor spreading

d)

divergent boundaries

17.

Matching ________ on different continents are evidence for continental drift.

a)

weather systems

b)

river systems

c)

mountain systems

d)

wind systems

18.
Many scientists think hot plastic-like rock in the mantle is forced upward toward the surface, cools, and sinks.  This process is called a(n) _________.
a)
earthquake
b)
convergent boundary
c)
volcano
d)
convection current
19.
The _________ is the thinnest layer of Earth.
a)
outer core
b)
inner core
c)
mantle
d)
crust
20.
_______ are formed when two continental plates collide.
a)
Mountain ranges
b)
Transform faults
c)
Rift valleys
d)
Volcanoes
21.
The theory of continental drift was first proposed by __________.
a)
Thomas Edison
b)
Alfred Wegener
c)
Benjamin Franklin
d)
Harry Hess
22.
What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth’s layers?
a)
mantle, outer core, inner core, crust
b)
crust, mantle, outer core, inner core
c)
outer core, inner core, crust, mantle
d)
crust, outer core, inner core, mantle
23.
The layer of caramel-like consistency that flows and moves the plates of the Earth is called the ________.
a)
mantle
b)
lithosphere
c)
crust
d)
asthenosphere
24.
The _______ is the thickest layer of the Earth at 1800 miles thick.  This layer contains most of the mass of the Earth.
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
25.
The _________ is so hot that the metals in it are all in the liquid state.
a)
crust
b)
mantle
c)
outer core
d)
inner core
26.
_________ currents carry heat from the hot inner core to the cooler outer mantle and back again.
a)
River
b)
Radiation
c)
Convection
d)
Conduction
27.
Plates move apart at _________ boundaries.
a)
volcanic
b)
divergent
c)
convergent
d)
transform
28.
The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of a ________.
a)
divergent boundary
b)
convergent boundary
c)
transform fault
d)
subduction zone
29.
Which type of plate boundary occurs at B?
a)
convergent
b)
divergent
c)
transform
d)
country
30.
The feature labeled C represents some of the deepest spots on the ocean floor. These areas are called ___.
a)
mid-ocean ridge
b)
trenches
c)
deep-sea vent
d)
abyssal plain
31.
Which type of plate boundary is shown at A?
a)
transform boundary
b)
convergent boundary
c)
divergent boundary
d)
fractured boundary
32.
When plates slide past one another, _________ occur.
a)
divergent boundaries
b)
convection currents
c)
subduction zones
d)
transform faults
33.
What technology did scientists use in the mid-1900s to map the mid-ocean ridge?
a)
sonar
b)
submarines
c)
satellites
d)
deep-sea diving
34.

What is this a picture of?

a)

plate tectonics

b)

continental drift

c)

Pangaea

d)

glacier scaring

35.
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
36.
What two specific continents fit together most noticeably?
a)
Africa and North America
b)
South America and Europe
c)
South America and Africa
d)
Antartica and Africa
37.
The OLDEST seafloor is located? 
a)
Closest to the mid-ocean ridge
b)
Farthest from the mid-ocean ridge
38.

What happens when subduction occurs?

a)

Parts of the crust fall into the mantle

b)

Parts of the crust fall into the core

c)

Parts of the crust fall into space

d)

None of the Above

39.
Which type of crust is more dense and thinner?
a)
Continental
b)
Asthenosphere
c)
Oceanic
d)
Byers
40.

Which of the following supports the theory of seafloor spreading?

a)

Fossils

b)

Crustal Age

c)

Magnetic Reversal

d)

Continuous Mountain Chains

41.
What causes the crust to move?
a)
convection
b)
conduction
c)
tension
d)
radiation
42.

What geologic feature/event would you most likely to find at a divergent boundary between two pieces of continental crust?

a)

Mid-Ocean Ridge

b)

Mountain

c)

Rift Valley

d)

Island Arc

43.
Which of these events can ONLY happen at a CONVERGENT BOUNDARY?
a)
Rift Valley
b)
A Tree
c)
Volcano
d)
Orcacane
 (Orca Hurricane)
44.

The stress that occurs when two plates pull apart

a)

Tension

b)

Shearing

c)

Compression

d)

Ring of Fire

45.

The stress that occurs when two plates slip past each other

a)

Compression

b)

Shearing

c)

Tension

46.

A stress force that occurs when two plates come together

a)

Tension

b)

Shearing

c)

Compression

47.
What type of event will occur at this boundary?
a)
Earthquake
b)
Volcano Eruption
c)
Tornado
d)
Mountain Building
48.
Where would the oldest rock be found?
a)
L
b)
M
c)
N
d)
O
49.
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
50.
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
51.

Why are convection currents able to move through Earth's mantle?

a)

Solid materials conduct heat best.

b)

It's warm deep inside the Earth.

c)

The mantle is not solid. Its state is between a solid and a liquid.

d)

The inner core is liquid iron and nickel.

52.

The Atlantic Ocean is slowly getting wider because new crust is being formed at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

a)

True

b)

False

53.

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

54.
Which of the following is where one plate slides under another plate and old crust is recycled?
a)
submarine zone
b)
divergence zone
c)
subduction zone
d)
lower zone
55.
This area contains over 70 percent of volcanoes and 90 percent of earthquakes in the world.
a)
North American plate
b)
ring of fire
c)
fiery rings 
d)
African plate
56.
Which of the following is associated with transform boundary?
a)
volcanoes
b)
mountains
c)
trenches
d)
earthquakes and fault line
57.
Which is subducted in an ocean-continental convergent boundary?
a)
continental plate
b)
oceanic plate
58.

Which of the following did NOT support the Continental Drift Theory?

a)

Magnetic striping in the ocean floor

b)

identical fossils found in different continents

c)

Mountains that extend over continents

d)

Coastlines of continents such as South America and Africa fit like a puzzle

59.

What type of event is most likely to happen at a TRANSFORM fault boundary, such as the San Andreas Fault in California?

a)

earthquake

b)

hot spot

c)

mountain building

d)

volcano

60.
This famous transform fault is located in the western United States creates significant earthquake activity for California
a)
New Madrid
b)
Denali Fault
c)
Ramapo Seismic Zone
d)
San Andreas
61.

________ are created by all 3 types of plate boundaries.

a)

Earthquakes

b)

Mountains

c)

Subduction Zones

d)

Volcanoes

62.

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

a)

mantle, outer core, inner core, crust

b)

crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

c)

outer core, inner core, crust, mantle

d)

crust, outer core, inner core, mantle

63.

Colliding tectonic plates caused sedimentary rock layers in

which province of Virginia to become folded and faulted?

a)

Coastal Plain

b)

Ridge and Valley

c)

Blue Ridge

d)

Piedmont

64.

Virginia has gone through many geologic changes throughout the last 200 million years. When Pangaea ripped apart into the current continents on Earth today, Virginia was at the center of the breakup. What feature most likely formed along Virginia when Pangaea ripped apart?

a)

Island Arc

b)

Rift Valley

c)

Transform Plate Movement

d)

Convergent Plate movement

65.

Extend your thinking: Which is the most likely map of Earth 300 million years from now?

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
66.

Choose TWO: Which force and characteristic of matter are most likely to be part of correct answers on the Virginia Earth Science SOL? (according to your teacher)

a)

density

b)

gravity

c)

inertia

d)

mass

e)

volume

67.

Since tectonic plates are continuing to move, the continents will once again form a single supercontinent in the future.

a)

True

b)

False

68.

Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, and

Pangaea is the only supercontinent to have existed. Before Pangaea, the Earth was all ocean.

a)

True

b)

False

69.

Which of these is evidence that North America and Africa collided as Pangea formed about 270 million years ago.

a)

Chesapeake Bay

b)

Florida Peninsula

c)

Appalachian Mountains

d)

Great Dismal Swamp

70.
The folding and faulting found in the rocks of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia were created by -
a)
collisions of continental plates
b)
wave action of prehistoric oceans
c)
the Coriolis effect
d)
heating and cooling of the prehistoric atmosphere
71.

Magnets point south when Earth's magnetic field has this

a)

magnetic reversal

b)

mid-ocean ridge

c)

normal polarity

d)

reversed polarity

e)

seafloor spreading

72.

Magnets point north when Earth's magnetic field has this?

a)

magnetic reversal

b)

mid-ocean ridge

c)

normal polarity

d)

reversed polarity

e)

seafloor spreading

73.

The area of magnetic force, around a magnet is known as its _________ ________

a)

magnetic fan lines

b)

magnetic declination

c)

magnet tan lines

d)

magnetic field

74.

The rocks on the ocean floor show evidence that the magnetism alternates North and South as you move along the sea-floor. This evidence of sea-floor spreading is reflected in the rocks on the ocean floor. The name for this evidence is called?

a)

Crustal subtraction

b)

Magnetic Reversals

c)

plate motion

d)

magnetic soldification

75.

seafloor spreading is occuring at the boundary between

a)

Nazca Plate and South American Plate

b)

Australian Plate and the Eurasian Plate

c)

North American Plate and the Eurasion Plate.

d)

China Plate and the Philippine Plate

76.

The magnetic pattern or stripes of rocks on one side of the mid-ocean ridge are_____________.

a)

the same as the rocks on the other side

b)

younger than other side

c)

much different pattern

d)

at right angles to the ridge

77.
In the Atlantic ocean, where is the youngest seafloor located?
a)
Towards the edges, near the eastern and western continents
b)
Towards the middle of the ocean
c)
Towards the north and south poles
d)
Young seafloor is located randomly throughout the ocean
78.

The process of seafloor spreading...

a)

creates new oceanic crust

b)

destroys or recycles crust

c)

creates new continental crust

d)

creates old crust

79.

The Hawaiian islands have formed as the Pacific plate moves over...

a)

a subduction zone

b)

an ocean ridge

c)

the Aleutian plate

d)

a hot spot

80.

Why is it important to be aware of places prone to earthquakes?

a)

to identify what crop must be stored

b)

to identify when to evacuate

c)

to locate where to go on vacation

d)

to be ready for emergencies and build safer buildings

81.

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.

82.

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

83.

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

84.

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.
85.

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

86.
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
87.
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
88.

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

89.

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

a)

droughts (no rain)

b)

hurricanes

c)

earthquakes

d)

tornadoes

90.

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.

91.
The Himalayas in Asia are an example of what type of plate boundary?
a)
divergent
b)
continent-to-continent convergent
c)
ocean-to-continent convergent
d)
transform
92.

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
93.

Look at the picture carefully.

Where would the oldest rock be found?

a)
L
b)
M
c)
N
d)
O
94.

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

95.

In sea-floor spreading, molten material rises from the mantle and erupts

a)

along the edges of all the continents.

b)

along mid-ocean ridges.

c)

in deep-ocean trenches.

d)

at the north and south poles.

96.

Look at this diagram of a plate boundary. Which statement BEST describes what is happening?

a)

Tthe oceanic crust is melting.

b)

The denser oceanic crust is subducting under the less dense oceanic crust.

c)

Volcanic islands are forming.

d)

The tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

97.

The outermost, rigid layer of the earth, consisting of the earth's crust and upper part of the mantle is known as the ________________.

a)

lithosphere

b)

Pangaea

c)

subduction zone

d)

tectonic

e)

Wegener

98.

These are NOT plate boundary features. They are areas where hot mantle plumes push up through the lithospheric plates to create volcanic islands such as Hawaii.

a)

Hotspots

b)

Convergent Boundary

c)

Divergent Boundary

d)

Transform Boundary

99.

The only type of crust that will subduct if two plates converge is...

a)

Oceanic

b)

Continental

100.

What is the only event associated with ALL plate boundaries?

a)

Volcanoes

b)

Earthquakes

c)

Subduction

d)

Deep Trenches

101.

Aside from Earthquakes, what is the only thing you will find at transform boundaries?

a)

Volcanoes

b)

Subduction Zones

c)

Folded Mountains

d)

Fault lines

102.

If an earthquake occurs at the bottom of the ocean floor what could form as result?

a)

Volcano

b)

Tsumani

c)

Tidal Wave

d)

Hurricane

103.

The process that occurs at a divergent oceanic boundary that creates new crust (sea floor) is called?

a)

Subduction

b)

Seafloor Spreading

c)

Continental Drift

d)

Volcanism

104.

The process that occurs at a divergent oceanic boundary that creates new crust (sea floor) is called?

a)

Subduction

b)

Seafloor Spreading

c)

Continental Drift

d)

Volcanism

105.

When two continental plates converge (collide) what type of crustal feature is formed?

a)

Mid Ocean Ridge

b)

Subduction Zone

c)

Rift Valley

d)

Folded Mountains

106.

What two crustal features occur near every subduction zone?

a)

Volcanoes and Trenches

b)

Rift Valleys and Mid Ocean Ridges

c)

Volcanoes and Rift Valleys

d)

Mid Ocean Ridges and Trenches

107.

The process where oceanic crust slides under another plate and is melted is called ___________.

a)

seafloor spreading

b)

subduction

c)

continental drift

d)

recycling

108.

The process where oceanic crust slides under another plate and is melted is called ___________.

a)

seafloor spreading

b)

subduction

c)

continental drift

d)

recycling

109.

Oceanic crust (sea floor) is destroyed at this boundary.

a)

Convergent Oceanic

b)

Divergent Oceanic

c)

Convergent Continental-Continental

d)

Divergent Continental

110.

Oceanic crust (sea floor) is destroyed at this boundary.

a)

Convergent Oceanic

b)

Divergent Oceanic

c)

Convergent Continental-Continental

d)

Divergent Continental

111.

New oceanic crust (sea floor) is created at this boundary.

a)

Divergent Oceanic

b)

Divergent Continental

c)

Convergent Oceanic

d)

Transform

112.
The area where two or more plates meet is called a __________________.
a)
fault
b)
plate boundary
c)
plate edge
d)
ring of fire
113.
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
114.
What geologic feature/event would you most likely to find at a convergent boundary between two pieces of continental crust?
a)
Volcano
b)
Mountain
c)
Rift
d)
Island Arc
115.
What geologic feature/event would you most likely to find at a divergent boundary between two pieces of continental crust?
a)
Mid-Ocean Ridge
b)
Mountain
c)
Rift Valley
d)
Island Arc

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