Plate Tectonics and Earth Dynamics

What phenomenon is primarily driven by convection currents within Earth's interior?

Which of the following best describes the result of convergent plate boundaries?

What is indicated by seismic shadow zones?

Which type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

What role does density play in the movement of material within Earth's interior?

Plate Tectonics

Plates move in three ways:
- Divergent: Plates move apart, creating new crust (e.g., Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
- Convergent: Plates collide, leading to subduction, earthquakes, and volcanoes (e.g., Andes Mountains).
- Transform: Plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes (e.g., San Andreas Fault).

Energy Transfer Inside Earth

Convection Currents: Driven by heat from Earth's core.
- Hot material rises, cools, and sinks, creating a cycle driving plate motion.
Tonga Eruption Insights: Demonstrates massive energy release from Earth's interior.
- Matter movement (e.g., rising magma) is driven by density differences.

Investigative Phenomena

Seismic Activity: Patterns reveal Earth's interior structures (e.g., shadow zones indicate liquid outer core).
Tsunamis: Energy transfer from tectonic movements to ocean water.
Volcanic Eruptions: Indicators of subsurface magma movement.

Critical Thinking and Evidence

Use models to interpret seismic data.
Develop arguments based on patterns in geological data.
Evaluate risks based on plate boundary locations and historical data.

Explore the fascinating concepts of plate tectonics, energy transfer within the Earth, and the resulting geological phenomena. This quiz examines various plate movements, seismic activities, and their implications on volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Test your understanding of Earth's makeup and the forces that shape it.