Plate Boundaries Quiz: Tectonic Plates and Fault Types

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Questions and Answers

What is the main concept of the plate tectonics theory?

The shell of the Earth is similar to a hard-boiled egg.

Continents move due to the forces in the mantle.

Alfred Wegener's hypothesis about continental drift.

The Earth's lithosphere is made up of tectonic plates. (correct)

What phenomenon did Alfred Wegener call the movement of continents?

Seafloor spreading

Continental slide

Continental drift (correct)

Tectonic drift

What evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his hypothesis about continental drift?

Evidence of tectonic plate movement

Evidence of mountain ranges and coal fields

Evidence of climate change and fossils (correct)

Evidence of seafloor spreading

What does the plate tectonics theory explain?

How the Earth's lithosphere is broken up Signup and view all the answers

Which scientist hypothesized that all seven continents were once joined together and gradually moved apart?

Alfred Wegener Signup and view all the answers

What drives the slow, constant motion of tectonic plates according to the plate tectonics theory?

Forces in the mantle Signup and view all the answers

What landform is formed when two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary?

Mountain range Signup and view all the answers

Which type of plate boundary is responsible for forming the Mid Atlantic Ridge?

Divergent boundary Signup and view all the answers

What type of fault line is formed in a transform boundary?

Strike-slip fault Signup and view all the answers

What causes the formation of volcanic islands at convergent boundaries between oceanic and continental plates?

Subduction zone Signup and view all the answers

What type of plate boundary is responsible for the formation of underwater mountain ranges like the Mid Atlantic Ridge?

Divergent boundary Signup and view all the answers

What landform is created when two oceanic plates have a convergent boundary?

Trench Signup and view all the answers

What type of fault produces some movement in the strike-slip plane along with normal or reverse movement?

Oblique fault Signup and view all the answers

Which boundary has plates that move towards each other and can create landforms such as volcanos, mountains, and oceanic trenches?

Convergent boundary Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) in the 1960s?

To analyze the ocean floor Signup and view all the answers

What important feature was found on the Atlantic Ocean basin that was an important area to drill during the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)?

Mid-Atlantic Ridge Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of earthquakes according to the text?

Movement within the earth's crust along faults Signup and view all the answers

Where do most earthquakes occur according to the text?

Along tectonic plate boundaries Signup and view all the answers

What evidence supported Henry Hess's theory of seafloor spreading?

Eruptions of molten material, magnetic stripes in oceanic rocks, and the ages of oceanic rocks Signup and view all the answers

What causes the movement of tectonic plates according to scientists?

Mantle convection, ridge push, and subduction zones Signup and view all the answers

How do divergent boundaries mainly occur?

Along mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys Signup and view all the answers

What type of plate boundary occurs when two plates collide together?

Convergent boundary Signup and view all the answers

How can plate movement cause changes on Earth's surface?

By causing volcanic activity, earthquakes, and mountain building Signup and view all the answers

What is theorized about the formation of Earth's continents?

All continents were part of a large landmass known as Pangaea Signup and view all the answers

What is the geographic location and depth where the earthquake starts called?

Hypocenter Signup and view all the answers

What type of stress is generated by rock pulling apart from each other?

Tensional stress Signup and view all the answers

Which type of earthquake is triggered by nearby volcanic activity?

Volcanic earthquake Signup and view all the answers

What are tsunamis often mistakenly called?

Tidal waves Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fault experiences vertical motion where one block moves downwards relative to the other?

Normal Faults Signup and view all the answers

What is the first type of seismic wave to arrive at seismographs?

Primary (P-) waves Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of an earthquake?

The sudden slipping of Earth's tectonic plates underground Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus point of an earthquake?

The location on Earth's surface directly above the origin Signup and view all the answers

Why are earthquakes so dangerous?

There is no way of knowing when an earthquake will occur Signup and view all the answers

Where are earthquakes more likely to occur?

In areas where tectonic plates meet and move more often Signup and view all the answers

What is the Alpide Belt known for?

Connecting multiple tectonic plates and accounting for more than 17% of the earthquakes in the world Signup and view all the answers

What causes aftershocks to occur?

The sudden drop in stress causing smaller ruptures Signup and view all the answers

How do seismic waves cause damage during an earthquake?

By shaking the ground and damaging structures on Earth's surface Signup and view all the answers

How do tsunamis relate to earthquakes?

Underwater earthquakes can cause tsunamis as well Signup and view all the answers

What is the Oceanic Ridge Belt also known as?

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge Signup and view all the answers

What is the elastic rebound theory?

It states that a fault slip causes the ground to shake due to the release of energy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plate Tectonics Theory

The main concept of the plate tectonics theory is that the Earth's lithosphere is broken into large plates that move relative to each other.
Alfred Wegener called the movement of continents "continental drift".

Evidence for Continental Drift

Wegener used-fit of continents, matching of coastlines, and similarities of fossil records as evidence to support his hypothesis about continental drift.

Plate Tectonics Theory Explanations

The plate tectonics theory explains the formation of mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

Continental Drift Hypothesis

Alfred Wegener hypothesized that all seven continents were once joined together and gradually moved apart.

Driving Force of Plate Movement

According to the plate tectonics theory, the slow, constant motion of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

Convergent Boundary Landforms

When two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary, mountain ranges are formed.
When two oceanic plates have a convergent boundary, deep-sea trenches are formed.

Types of Plate Boundaries

Divergent boundaries are responsible for forming features like the Mid Atlantic Ridge.
Transform boundaries are responsible for forming fault lines, such as the San Andreas Fault.
Convergent boundaries are responsible for forming landforms like volcanoes, mountains, and oceanic trenches.

Volcanic Island Formation

Volcanic islands are formed at convergent boundaries between oceanic and continental plates due to subduction of oceanic plates.

Plate Boundary Features

Underwater mountain ranges like the Mid Atlantic Ridge are formed at divergent boundaries.
Oceanic trenches are formed at convergent boundaries between oceanic and continental plates.

Fault Types

Oblique-slip faults produce some movement in the strike-slip plane along with normal or reverse movement.
Normal faults experience vertical motion where one block moves downwards relative to the other.

Earthquake Causes

The primary cause of earthquakes is the movement of tectonic plates.
Most earthquakes occur at plate boundaries.

Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)

The main purpose of the DSDP was to drill into the oceanic crust and obtain samples of rocks and sediments.
The Mid Atlantic Ridge was an important area to drill during the DSDP due to the presence of oceanic crust and sediments.

Earthquake Features

The geographic location and depth where the earthquake starts is called the focus point.
Earthquakes are so dangerous because they can cause widespread damage and loss of life.
Earthquakes are more likely to occur at plate boundaries.

Tsunamis and Earthquakes

Tsunamis are often mistakenly called "tidal waves".
Tsunamis are related to earthquakes and can be triggered by the movement of tectonic plates.

Alpide Belt and Oceanic Ridge Belt

The Alpide Belt is known for its mountain-building processes.
The Oceanic Ridge Belt is also known as the Mid Ocean Ridge.

Aftershocks and Seismic Waves

Aftershocks occur due to the adjustment of the Earth's crust after the main earthquake.
Seismic waves cause damage during an earthquake by transferring energy from the focus point to the Earth's surface.
The first type of seismic wave to arrive at seismographs is the P-wave.

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Description

Test your knowledge of plate boundaries and fault types with this quiz. Learn about the different types of faults including strike-slip and oblique faults, and understand the movement of tectonic plates along these boundaries.

Plate Boundaries and Fault Types Quiz

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