Plate Boundaries and Fault Types Quiz

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.