Plate Tectonics and Volcanic Features
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Questions and Answers

What type of volcano is characterized by its broad, gently sloping sides, formed by low-viscosity lava flows?

  • Stratovolcano
  • Shield (correct)
  • Cinder Cone
  • Composite

    • Which of the following is TRUE about a caldera?

  • It is a type of volcanic vent that releases lava and ash.
  • It is a small, cone-shaped depression formed at the summit of a volcano.
  • It is created by the collapse of a volcano's magma chamber after a large eruption. (correct)
  • It is a large, underground igneous rock body.

    • Which of the following is NOT a type of igneous intrusion?

  • Dike
  • Sill
  • Laccolith
  • Fault (correct)

    • Which of the following best describes the difference between elastic and plastic deformation?

    <p>Elastic deformation is temporary, plastic deformation is permanent. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is the primary driving force behind the movement of tectonic plates?

    <p>Convection currents in the mantle (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between magma viscosity and the type of volcanic eruption?

    <p>Low viscosity magma results in quiet eruptions, high viscosity magma results in explosive eruptions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the condition under which a reverse fault occurs?

    <p>The hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of seismic wave travels the fastest?

    <p>P-Waves (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of a strike slip fault?

    <p>Shear stress (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which seismic wave is most likely to cause significant damage to buildings and structures?

    <p>Surface Waves (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference between the focus and the epicenter of an earthquake?

    <p>The focus is the point inside the Earth where the earthquake originates, while the epicenter is the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the moment magnitude scale differ from the Mercalli scale in measuring earthquakes?

    <p>The moment magnitude scale measures the total energy released by an earthquake, while the Mercalli scale measures its effects on people, buildings, and the Earth's surface. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Ridge Push

    A force that pushes tectonic plates apart at mid-ocean ridges due to newly formed, elevated oceanic crust.

    Slab Pull

    A force that pulls tectonic plates downward at subduction zones due to the sinking edge of a plate.

    Caldera

    A large, bowl-shaped depression formed at the summit of a volcano due to the collapse of ground after magma chamber empties.

    Magma Viscosity

    The thickness or thinness of magma determined by its silica content; high silica means high viscosity (thick), low silica means low viscosity (thin).

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    Cinder Cone Volcano

    A small, steep, cone-like volcano made of ash, cinders, and rock fragments from a single eruption.

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    Composite Volcano

    A steep, mountain-like volcano built from layers of lava, ash, and rock, often with explosive eruptions.

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    Elastic Deformation

    A temporary change in a rock's shape or size that is reversible; the rock returns to its original form when stress is removed.

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    Reverse Fault

    A fault caused by compression where the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall.

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    Strike Slip Fault

    A fault where rocks move horizontally past each other due to shear stress.

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    Seismic Waves

    Energy waves that travel through the Earth's layers, generated by an earthquake.

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    Types of Seismic Waves

    P-Waves (fast, compressional), S-Waves (slower, shear), Surface Waves (slowest, damaging).

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    Focus vs Epicenter

    Focus: point inside Earth where quake originates; Epicenter: point above it on the surface.

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    Moment Magnitude Scale

    Measures total energy released by an earthquake based on various geological factors.

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    Study Notes

    Plate Tectonics: Ridge Push and Slab Pull

    • Ridge push: Newly formed, elevated oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges pushes plates apart.
    • Slab pull: The denser, sinking edge of a plate at a subduction zone pulls the rest of the plate downward.

    Volcanic Features: Caldera

    • Caldera: A large, bowl-shaped depression formed at a volcano's summit when the magma chamber empties during an eruption, causing the ground above to collapse.

    Volcano Types

    • Cinder Cone: Small, steep cone-shaped volcanoes composed of ash, cinders, and rock fragments from a single eruption.
    • Shield Volcano: Broad, gently sloping sides formed by low-viscosity lava flows.
    • Composite Volcano: Steep-sided, mountain-like volcanoes composed of layers of lava, ash, and rock with frequent explosive eruptions.

    Magma Viscosity

    • Viscosity: Magma viscosity is determined by silica content; high silica content results in thick, high-viscosity magma; low silica content generates thin, low-viscosity magma.

    Eruption Types and Volcanoes

    • High Viscosity Magma: Thick magma; leads to explosive eruptions; associated with composite volcanoes.
    • Low Viscosity Magma: Thin magma; leads to quiet eruptions; associated with shield volcanoes.

    Igneous Intrusions

    • Dike: A vertical igneous intrusion that cuts across rock layers.
    • Sill: A horizontal igneous intrusion that occurs between rock layers.
    • Laccolith: A dome-shaped intrusion that pushes rock layers upward.
    • Batholith: A massive underground igneous rock body, larger than 100 square kilometers.

    Stress on Rocks

    • Compression: Squeezes rocks together, causing folding or breakage; common at convergent boundaries.
    • Tension: Pulls rocks apart, causing thinning and fractures; common at divergent boundaries.
    • Shear: Moves rocks past each other in opposite directions, leading to twisting or faulting; common at transform boundaries.

    Rock Deformation

    • Elastic Deformation: A temporary change in shape or size that is reversible when stress is removed.
    • Plastic Deformation: A permanent change in shape or size that is not reversible even after stress is removed.

    Fault Types

    • Reverse Fault: Caused by compression; the hanging wall moves up relative to the footwall.
    • Normal Fault: Caused by tension; the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall.
    • Strike-Slip Fault: Caused by shear; rocks on either side of the fault move horizontally past each other.

    Seismic Waves

    • Seismic waves: Waves of energy that travel through the Earth's layers, caused by energy release during earthquakes.

    Seismic Wave Types

    • P-waves: Fastest waves; compressional waves moving back and forth.
    • S-waves: Slower waves; shear waves moving side to side.
    • Surface waves: Slowest waves; travel along the surface; cause significant damage with rolling or side-to-side motion.

    Focus and Epicenter

    • Focus (hypocenter): The point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates.
    • Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus.

    Seismometer Function

    • Seismometer: Detects and measures seismic waves using a suspended mass on a spring. The mass stays stationary while the frame connected to the ground moves, recording the vibrations.

    Earthquake Measurement Scales

    • Moment Magnitude Scale: Measures total energy released based on fault size, slip amount, and rock type. Provides a precise scientific measurement.
    • Mercalli Scale: Measures earthquake intensity based on observed effects (people, buildings). More subjective and varies by location.

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    Description

    Explore the dynamic concepts of plate tectonics, including ridge push and slab pull, and learn about different volcanic features such as calderas and various types of volcanoes. This quiz will test your understanding of magma viscosity and its role in volcanic activity.

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