Lecture 5: Plate Tectonics II Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What type of rocks does stratigraphy primarily deal with?

Igneous rocks

Metamorphic rocks

Sedimentary rocks (correct)

All of the above

Which of Steno's principles states that in an undisturbed sequence of strata, the oldest layers are at the bottom?

Principle of Original Lateral Continuity

Principle of Superposition (correct)

Principle of Unconformity

Principle of Original Horizontality

What does the term "strata" refer to in the context of stratigraphy?

Layers of sedimentary rock (correct)

Individual rock crystals

Folds and faults in the Earth's crust

The process of rock formation

What is the significance of Steno's principles in the study of stratigraphy?

They provide a framework for interpreting the sequence of rock layers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what does "layered rocks" equal?

Strata (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary process occurring at divergent plate boundaries?

Creation of new lithosphere. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is NOT typically associated with divergent plate boundaries?

Deep ocean trenches (A) Signup and view all the answers

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of which type of plate boundary?

Divergent (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of events in the formation of a new ocean basin at a divergent plate boundary?

Narrow fault-bounded sea, rift valley, coastal mountain range, wide ocean (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of magma in the formation of new lithosphere at divergent plate boundaries?

Magma rises to the surface and solidifies to form new lithosphere. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why are divergent plate boundaries considered sites of constructive activity?

They are responsible for the creation of new lithosphere. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common feature found at divergent plate boundaries?

Volcanic arcs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the presence of rift valleys in the context of divergent plate boundaries?

Rift valleys represent the initial stage of the formation of a new ocean basin. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of uniformitarianism?

The present is the key to understanding the past. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between uniformitarianism and actualism?

Actualism focuses on the rate at which processes occur, while uniformitarianism does not. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does plate tectonics contribute to the rock cycle?

Plate tectonics creates mountains, which erode to form sediments. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of rocks are formed when sediments are buried and lithified?

Sedimentary rocks (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between convergent plate boundaries and mountain formation?

Convergent plate boundaries cause the collision of plates, which push up mountains. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of actualism?

Using the rate of erosion in modern rivers to estimate the age of ancient canyons. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does plate tectonics play a role in the rock cycle?

Plate tectonics creates mountains, which are the main source of sediments. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the statement "The present is the key to the past"?

It means that we can use the processes we observe today to understand past events. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following geological principles describes the relationship between rock fragments within another body of rock and the body of rock that contains them?

Principle of Inclusions & Components (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to Steno's Principle of Original Horizontality, how are strata initially formed?

Strata are formed horizontally, with the oldest layers at the bottom. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does an angular unconformity represent in the geological record?

A period of time where erosion occurred, followed by deposition of new strata at an angle to the older strata. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a geological principle discussed in the content?

Principle of Superposition (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concept behind the Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships?

Faults and intrusions are younger than the rock they cut through. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A disconformity represents a period of...

Erosion and non-deposition. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Principle of Original Lateral Continuity imply about the extent of strata?

Strata were initially unbroken and extended over large areas. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to Steno's Principles, how can we determine the relative age of undisturbed rock strata?

By observing the order in which they are stacked, with the oldest at the bottom. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a geological feature that can interrupt the continuity of strata?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between Steno's Principles and the Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships?

They are complementary principles that help us understand the relative ages of geological features. (D) Signup and view all the answers

At which type of plate boundary can a subduction zone be found?

Oceanic-Continental (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of mountain building along convergent boundaries?

Plate movement and collision (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common feature associated with convergent plate boundaries?

Mid-ocean ridges (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why does volcanic activity typically occur at oceanic-oceanic convergent boundaries?

The subducting plate melts, generating magma that rises to the surface (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of convergent boundary is characterized by the formation of mountain ranges but typically does not involve subduction or volcanism?

Continental-Continental (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture 5: Plate Tectonics II and Principles of Geology

Quiz 2 is scheduled for Friday, with unlimited attempts and a due time of 11:59 PM.

Objectives for Today

Overview of continental drift hypothesis and Plate Tectonics Theory.
Identification of the three types of plate boundaries.
Understanding uniformitarianism, a main tenet of geology.
Exploring fundamental principles of geology.

Plate Boundaries (Fig 3.12)

A global map displays major tectonic plates and their direction of movement.
Key features like ridge axes, subduction zones, and hot spots are labeled.
Quantitative data (e.g., distances) are shown to depict the size and movement of plates.

The Three Types of Plate Boundaries (Table 3.1)

Divergent: Plates move apart, creating new lithosphere, often found in ocean ridges (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge). Forms landforms like mid-oceanic ridges with axial rift valleys and rift valleys. Volcanism is common, with basalt as the primary volcanic rock type.
Convergent: Plates move towards each other, causing deformation, volcanism, and mountain building. Three subtypes: Oceanic-oceanic, creating volcanic island arcs and ocean trenches; Oceanic-continental, creating volcanic arcs and mountain ranges; Continental-continental, creating mountain belts like the Himalayas.
Transform: Plates slide past each other horizontally. Results in fault valleys like the San Andreas Fault.

Divergent Boundaries (Fig 3.13)

Formation of new lithosphere is a feature of divergent boundaries.
Often seen in ocean ridges. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a key example.

Convergent Boundaries (Oceanic-Oceanic, Oceanic-Continental, Continental-Continental)

Oceanic-Oceanic: Higher-density plate subducts beneath the other, creating volcanic island arcs and deep ocean trenches.
Oceanic-Continental: Denser oceanic plate subducts causing partial melting in the overlying mantle and leading to volcanism. Characteristic features include volcanic arcs and mountain ranges.
Continental-Continental: Two continental plates collide, resulting in mountain ranges, due to the lack of subduction, (e.g., Himalayas).

Stratigraphy

A subfield of geology that examines the composition, origin, age, and distribution of layered rocks (strata). It deals mainly with sedimentary rocks.

Steno's Principles

Principle of Superposition: Older strata are found at the bottom, in undisturbed rock layers.
Principle of Original Horizontality: Strata were originally horizontal.
Principle of Original Lateral Continuity: Strata were originally continuous.

Other Geological Principles

Cross-cutting relationships: Intrusive igneous rocks or faults are younger than the rock they invade.
Inclusions: Rock fragments within another body of rock are older than the including body of rock.
Unconformities: Represent substantial intervals of time when erosion occurred rather than deposition (e.g., angular unconformity, disconformity, nonconformity).

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts from Lecture 5 on Plate Tectonics, including the continental drift hypothesis and the theory of plate tectonics. You'll identify the three types of plate boundaries and grasp fundamental geology principles. Prepare to explore tectonic movements and geological phenomena related to plate interactions.