Plate Tectonics Stories

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is plate tectonics?

The theory that the earth's crust is broken up into plates (correct)

The theory that the moon's surface is broken up into plates

The theory that the earth's core is made of gold

The theory that the earth's crust is a single solid piece

Which project was designed to analyze the ocean floor in the 1960s?

Deep Space Exploration Project (DSEP)

Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) (correct)

Oceanic Exploration Initiative (OEI)

Oceanic Core Drilling Program (OCDP)

What was the name of the ship that participated in the Deep Sea Drilling Project?

Poseidon's Trident

Glomar Challenger (correct)

Titanic II

Glomar Explorer

Which underwater mountain range runs from Iceland to Antarctica?

Mid-Atlantic Ridge Signup and view all the answers

What was the main task of the Deep Sea Drilling Project?

Drill into the ocean floor and extract samples Signup and view all the answers

How do tectonic plates move?

Slide past each other, push together, or pull apart Signup and view all the answers

Which ocean drilling project contributed to uncovering evidence in support of plate tectonics?

Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial theory about the formation of the oceanic ridge system?

Seafloor spreading Signup and view all the answers

Why were some scientists initially skeptical about the idea of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge being a tectonic plate boundary?

They found it hard to believe that magma could ooze up through a crack in the Earth's crust. Signup and view all the answers

What did the samples taken from the ridge system show regarding the age of rocks as you move away from the crest?

The rocks got older. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the thickness of sediment found near the ridge crest significantly different from that found at farther distances?

As a result of time for sediment to accumulate Signup and view all the answers

What did the samples taken from the ridge system disprove?

The theory of subduction zones Signup and view all the answers

How did the discovery of thin sediment layers near the ridge crest support the seafloor spreading theory?

It indicated new oceanic crust formation along a plate boundary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea behind plate tectonics theory?

The earth's crust is broken up into plates Signup and view all the answers

How do tectonic plates interact with each other?

Pull apart, push together, or slide past each other Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)?

To collect samples of ocean sediments and crust from the sea floor Signup and view all the answers

Where is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge located?

From Iceland to Antarctica Signup and view all the answers

Which ship was used in the Deep Sea Drilling Project for collecting samples from the ocean floor?

Glomar Challenger Signup and view all the answers

Why was the 1960s significant in the context of ocean exploration?

It marked the beginning of the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Signup and view all the answers

How was the evidence supporting plate tectonics theory uncovered?

'Deep Sea Drilling Project' extracted samples from the ocean floor Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of drilling the underwater ridge system mentioned in the text?

To investigate the formation of new oceanic crust and support a scientific theory Signup and view all the answers

Why were some scientists initially doubtful about the concept of seafloor spreading at the underwater ridge?

They believed that oceanic crust was not formed by magma upwelling. Signup and view all the answers

What did the samples taken from the ridge system reveal about the rocks as you move away from the crest?

The rocks got older farther from the crest. Signup and view all the answers

Why did scientists observe thin layers of sediment near the ridge crest and thicker layers as they moved away?

Due to tectonic plate movement causing sediment deposition Signup and view all the answers

What did the discovery of increased sediment thickness in samples away from the ridge suggest about those areas?

Those areas had been there for a longer period and had time for sediment accumulation. Signup and view all the answers

How did the evidence from drilling in the underwater ridge support the theory of seafloor spreading?

By demonstrating that new oceanic crust was being formed at plate boundaries and spreading out laterally Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of tectonic plate movement was particularly perplexing to scientists regarding the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

The upwelling of magma through diverging plates Signup and view all the answers