Geology and Plate Tectonics Quiz

These occur when two tectonic plates move towards each other and one plate slides beneath the other, causing the denser plate to sink into the mantle.

A deep depression in the ocean floor formed when one tectonic plate slides beneath another. This is a key feature of convergent plate boundaries.

A zone where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, causing the denser plate to melt in the mantle and potentially create volcanoes and earthquakes.

A type of convergent boundary where two oceanic plates collide. The denser plate subducts beneath the other, resulting in the formation of an oceanic trench and volcanic arc.

A type of convergent boundary where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate. The denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate, causing volcanic arcs and deformation of the continental crust.

A type of convergent boundary where two continental plates collide. Neither plate can subduct due to their similar density, resulting in the formation of mountains and extensive crustal deformation.

The process where a denser tectonic plate slides beneath a less dense plate at a convergent boundary.

A chain of volcanoes that forms along the edge of a continent or island arc, often associated with subduction zones.

A linear topographic ridge formed by volcanic activity, typically associated with movement of the tectonic plates.

A region where three tectonic plates meet and interact. These interactions can lead to various geological features like trenches, mountains, or volcanoes depending on the plate movements.

A column of hot rock that rises from deep within the Earth's mantle. It can cause volcanic activity and contribute to the movement of tectonic plates.

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is divided into numerous tectonic plates that move and interact.

The semi-molten layer of the Earth's mantle below the lithosphere. It is a viscous layer that allows the tectonic plates to move.

The theory that explains the movement of Earth's tectonic plates and the geological features that result from these movements. It is widely accepted among geologists.

A chain of volcanoes that typically forms along a convergent plate boundary. Subduction of one plate beneath another leads to the formation of these arcs.

A deep, narrow depression in the ocean floor where one tectonic plate is being subducted beneath another.

Measuring the distance between matching rock formations on either side of a plate boundary to determine the rate of plate movement.

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent boundary, where new oceanic crust is formed. The San Andreas Fault is a transform boundary, where plates slide past each other.

Linear strips on the ocean floor that record the Earth's magnetic field reversals. They show regions of normal polarity (where the magnetic field points north) and reversed polarity (where the magnetic field points south).

The time it takes for the Earth's magnetic field to flip from normal to reversed polarity, or vice versa. This duration is used to calculate the average rate of plate movement.

The process where new oceanic crust is generated at mid-oceanic ridges. As magma rises from the mantle, it cools to form new rock, pushing the existing crust away from the ridge.

The principle that the Earth's surface area is constant, meaning new crust created at mid-oceanic ridges is balanced by the consumption of old crust at subduction zones.

The rate at which plates move apart at mid-oceanic ridges. It varies significantly depending on the specific ridge.

The East Pacific Rise near Easter Island has the fastest rate of plate separation (greater than 15 cm/year), while the Arctic Ridge has the slowest (less than 2.5 cm/year).

A region in the Earth's mantle where hot plumes of magma rise to the surface, causing volcanic activity. They are often associated with aseismic ridges and can occur both on the ocean floor and on continents.

A type of volcanic activity that occurs within a tectonic plate, rather than at a plate boundary. An example is the Deccan Traps in India, formed by the Indian plate crossing the Reunion hotspot.

A chain of volcanoes that are formed over an extended period of time as a plate moves over a stationary hotspot. The Hawaiian Islands are a prime example, formed by the Pacific plate moving over the Hawaiian hotspot.

Underwater volcanic eruptions from a hotspot that can gradually build up over time to form islands or other landforms.

The process of analysing the movement of tectonic plates using hotspots as reference points. The locations of hotspots are considered relatively fixed, allowing scientists to track the movement of plates over time.

A specific example of intra-plate volcanism where ancient massive volcanic eruptions in India about 66 million years ago created a large region of basalt rock called Deccan Traps.

Another example of hotspot volcanism where a hotspot in the Indian Ocean caused eruptions that created the Rajmahal Traps in eastern India about 118-112 million years ago.

A nearly liquid, very hot, thermal feature formed due to increased temperature in the lower mantle or at the core-mantle boundary.

The upward movement of a plume causes changes in state from solid to liquid, creating instabilities and forcing mass upwards.

The mushroom-shaped head of a plume generates large quantities of basaltic magma as it rises into the upper mantle.

The alteration of upper mantle convection patterns by plumes creates a divergent environment, leading to continental break-up, rifting, drifting, uplift, spreading, and volcanic activity.

As a continental plate moves over a hotspot, a linear chain of volcanoes is created, recording the plate's movement.

The Rajmahal and Deccan Traps of India were formed by hotspots, Kerguelen and Reunion, respectively, during the Cretaceous period.

A type of strike-slip fault where two plates move parallel to each other, either in opposite directions or at different rates.

A long, underwater mountain range where new oceanic lithosphere is formed.

A large area of volcanic activity and high heat flow found along the Mid-Ocean Ridge. It is where new lithosphere is generated and moves away from the ridge.

The process where new oceanic lithosphere forms at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, spreading outwards as the plates move apart.

A long, deep depression that runs along the crest of the Mid-Ocean Ridge, formed by the separation of plates.

The process where the Earth's magnetic field changes polarity, reversing from a 'normal' to a 'reversed' state.

The symmetrical pattern of magnetic stripes of opposite polarity found on either side of the Mid-Ocean Ridge, recorded by the cooling and magnetizing of new oceanic crust.

The study of rock magnetism, including the recording of Earth's magnetic field changes in rocks over time.

The process of rocks becoming permanently magnetized in the direction of the Earth's magnetic field at the time of their formation.