Plate Tectonic Theory Quiz

Which of the following is NOT a type of geologic activity associated with plate tectonics?

The Pacific Ring of Fire is known for being geologically inactive.

Who proposed the Plate Tectonic Theory?

The _____ plates are generally smaller and include the Juan De Fuca plate.

Match the following types of tectonic plates with their examples:

Which type of crust is thicker but less dense?

Oceanic crust is thicker than continental crust.

What is the lithosphere primarily composed of?

The __________ are moving, irregularly shaped slabs that fit together to form the surface of the Earth.

Match the following crust types with their characteristics:

Plate Tectonic Theory

Proposed by John Tuzo Wilson, suggesting the Earth's lithosphere is divided into interacting plates.
Interactions among plates lead to significant geologic events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation.
Key geologic activities related to plate tectonics include seismicity, volcanism, and mountain formation.

Pacific Ring of Fire

A major zone surrounding the Pacific Ocean characterized by a chain of volcanoes and tectonic activity.
Known as the most geologically active region on Earth, it frequently experiences earthquakes and powerful volcanic eruptions.

Plate Types

Oceanic Plates: Smaller plates that include Juan De Fuca, Pacific, Cocos, Nazca, Caribbean, Philippine, and Scotia.
Continental Plates: Larger plates including North American, South American, African, Eurasian, Arabian, Indian, and Australian.

Lithosphere

The Earth's topmost solid layer, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle, composed of several plates.

Crust

Continental Crust: Thicker and less dense, primarily made up of granite.
Oceanic Crust: Thinner and denser, predominantly composed of basalt.

Lithospheric Plates

The rigid, moving slabs that create the Earth's surface, fitting together and moving as units.
Plates interact at their margins, leading to geological processes like mountain belt formation, earthquakes, and volcanism.
These plates move slowly and continuously in relation to each other, shaping the Earth's landscape over time.

Test your knowledge on the Plate Tectonic Theory proposed by John Tuzo Wilson. This quiz covers the interactions of the Earth's lithosphere plates and their effects, such as earthquakes, volcanism, and mountain formation. Additionally, explore the significance of the Pacific Ring of Fire in geologic activities.