Plate Tectonics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary driving force behind the movement of tectonic plates?

  • Gravitational pull from the moon
  • Magnetic fields within the Earth
  • Rotation of the Earth's core
  • Convection currents in the mantle (correct)

What are the two primary components of the Earth's core?

  • Iron and magnesium
  • Magnesium and silicon
  • Iron and nickel (correct)
  • Nickel and silicon

What process is thought to be the main source of heat within the Earth's core?

  • Radioactive decay of elements (correct)
  • Friction between tectonic plates
  • Residual heat from Earth's formation
  • Solar radiation absorbed by the crust

How does 'ridge push' contribute to plate movement?

<p>Higher plates at spreading centers slide downhill due to gravity (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate thickness of continental plates?

<p>Up to 150 km (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is plate tectonics?

<p>The theory that the earth's surface is broken into plates that float on a softer layer (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological features mark the locations where one tectonic plate slides under another?

<p>Deep ocean trenches (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does gravity contribute to plate movement at subduction zones?

<p>It pulls the subducting plate further down into the mantle (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the asthenosphere?

<p>The upper part of the mantle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how thick is the solid center of the earth's core?

<p>1200 km (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the Earth do tectonic plates ride upon?

<p>The asthenosphere (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary composition of Earth's mantle?

<p>Mostly oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and iron (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between plate boundaries and continental boundaries?

<p>They can be different, with plate edges sometimes underwater (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which analogy is used to describe the Earth's layers?

<p>An apple (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In terms of the apple analogy, what does the peel of the apple represent?

<p>Crust/Lithosphere (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Plate Tectonics

The theory that Earth's surface is divided into plates that move on the asthenosphere.

Asthenosphere

The semi-fluid layer beneath the lithosphere where tectonic plates float and move.

Continental Plates

Thicker tectonic plates found beneath continents, averaging 150 km thick.

Oceanic Plates

Thinner tectonic plates found beneath oceans, averaging 5-10 km thick.

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Lithosphere

The rigid outer layer of the Earth, composed of the crust and upper mantle.

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Plate Boundaries

The edges where tectonic plates meet, which can be underwater or on land.

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Mantle

The middle layer of the Earth, made mostly of oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and iron.

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Core

The innermost layer of the Earth, which is solid and composed mainly of iron and nickel.

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Earth's Core

The innermost part of the Earth, consisting of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core made of iron and nickel.

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Convection Current

A circular movement in fluids caused by heating and cooling, leading to material rising and sinking.

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Plate Movement

The shifting of tectonic plates caused by convection currents in the mantle.

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Radioactive Decay

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation, generating heat.

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Ridge Push

A tectonic force where elevated mid-ocean ridges push plates away from the ridge due to gravity.

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Oceanic Trench

Deep underwater valleys formed when oceanic plates slide under continental plates.

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Converging Boundaries

Areas where tectonic plates collide, often forming mountains or causing one plate to slide under another.

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Study Notes

Plate Tectonics

  • Plate tectonics is a theory explaining large-scale changes on Earth's surface.
  • Earth's surface is composed of plates (large pieces of crust) resting on a softer layer (asthenosphere).
  • Continental plates are thicker (up to 150 km) than oceanic plates (5-10 km).
  • Plate boundaries are not the same as continental boundaries; some plate edges are underwater.

Plate Movement

  • Plate movement is driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle.
  • The Earth's core heats the mantle, creating convection currents.
  • Hotter mantle material rises, cooler material sinks, creating a circular motion.
  • Mantle convection moves tectonic plates on the surface.

Mantle Composition

  • The Earth's mantle is composed primarily of oxygen, silicon, magnesium, and iron.
  • The mantle lies between the crust and the core.
  • The core consists of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core composed mainly of iron and nickel.

Plate Movement Mechanisms

  • Ridge push: Plates slide downhill from elevated spreading centers due to gravity.
  • Slab pull: Gravity pulls a sinking plate down into the mantle, further moving the plate.
  • Plates moving apart at spreading ridges create new crust.
  • When plates collide (converging boundaries), oceanic crust can be forced under another plate (subduction).
  • Subduction zones are characterized by deep ocean trenches.

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