Science: Lithosphere and Plate Tectonics
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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the point inside the Earth where an earthquake originates?

  • Focus (correct)
  • Seismologist
  • Epicenter
  • Magnitude

    • Which term refers to a scientist who specializes in the study of earthquakes?

  • Volcanologist
  • Geologist
  • Geophysicist
  • Seismologist (correct)

    • What does the magnitude of an earthquake measure?

  • The duration of shaking
  • The area affected by the quake
  • The amount of energy released (correct)
  • The depth of the quake

    • Which organization is primarily responsible for disaster mitigation related to earthquakes in the Philippines?

    <p>PHIVOLCS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'lithosphere' refer to in geological terms?

    <p>The rigid outer layer of the Earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary driving force behind plate movement in the context of convection currents?

    <p>Density differences in the mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geological feature is formed at divergent plate boundaries?

    <p>Rift valleys</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of plate boundary involves plates moving towards each other?

    <p>Convergent boundary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which instrument is primarily used to measure seismic activity?

    <p>Seismograph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which force is primarily responsible for the movement of tectonic plates at mid-ocean ridges?

    <p>Ridge push</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated speed at which tectonic plates move?

    <p>1 to 10 cm per year</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate length of the mid-ocean ridge system on Earth?

    <p>65,000 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of divergent plate boundaries?

    <p>Subduction of tectonic plates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which two plates are involved in a transform fault boundary interaction?

    <p>Pacific Plate &amp; Nazca Plate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example illustrates a rift valley?

    <p>The Red Sea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average thickness of the continental lithosphere?

    <p>25 to 70 km</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of lithosphere has a higher density?

    <p>Oceanic lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the seven primary tectonic plates?

    <p>Arabian Plate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the oceanic lithosphere primarily located?

    <p>In the ocean floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily composes the continental lithosphere?

    <p>Granite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary process driving the creation of new ocean floor?

    <p>Molten materials erupting from the mantle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes how ocean floors move according to the seafloor spreading theory?

    <p>They move laterally, pushing continents with them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do transform fault boundaries primarily involve?

    <p>The grinding past of two tectonic plates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were the geologists that proposed the seafloor spreading theory?

    <p>Harry Hess and Robert Dietz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the lithosphere primarily composed of?

    <p>A combination of continental and oceanic lithosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon allows scientists to create a magnetic polarity time scale?

    <p>Magnetic reversal in oceanic rocks</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about sediment properties is false?

    <p>Particle shape is not a factor in sediment classification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which mountain range is not used as an example of rock correlation across continents?

    <p>Himalayan Mountains</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one key characteristic of magnetic rocks found in the ocean floor?

    <p>They indicate the alignment of the earth's magnetic field at the time of formation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes magnetic reversal according to the provided information?

    <p>Flow direction changes in the outer core</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the name of the supercontinent proposed by Alfred Wegener?

    <p>Pangea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an evidence supporting the Continental Drift Theory?

    <p>Ocean currents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organism was found in fossil evidence on separate continents, supporting the idea of Continental Drift?

    <p>Cynognathus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon is referred to as magnetic reversals in the context of plate tectonics?

    <p>Paleomagnetism indicating historical plate movements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What divided the supercontinent Pangaea into Laurasia and Gondwana?

    <p>Tectonic shifts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Lithosphere

    • The lithosphere is the Earth's rocky outer layer, consisting of continental and oceanic crust.
    • It plays a vital role in the structure and movement of tectonic plates.

    World Map

    • Displays countries, continents, oceans, and islands in various colors, providing a visual representation of the Earth's geography.

    Tectonic Plates

    • Comprise various sections of the lithosphere, including landmasses and seafloor, and are crucial for understanding geological processes.

    Plate Boundaries

    • Represented as lines that separate tectonic plates.
    • Include divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries, each with distinct geological implications.

    Types of Lithospheric Plates

    • Continental Lithosphere

      • Thicker than oceanic plates, averaging 25 to 70 km in thickness.
      • Composed mainly of ancient granite with a density of 2.7 g/cm³.

    • Oceanic Lithosphere

      • Thinner, with an average thickness of 7 to 10 km.
      • Composed mostly of basalt and is denser at 3.0 g/cm³ than continental lithosphere.

    Primary and Secondary Plates

    • Primary plates are larger and consist of seven major ones: Pacific, North American, Eurasian, African, Antarctic, Australian, and South American Plates.

    Earthquakes

    • Occur due to the release of strain energy in the Earth's crust, generating seismic waves.
    • Key terminology includes:
      • Magnitude: Measurement of energy released.
      • Epicenter: Surface point directly above the earthquake's starting point.
      • Focus: The underground origin of an earthquake.

    Seismology

    • The study of earthquakes by seismologists, informed by instruments like seismographs and seismograms.

    Plate Tectonic Theory

    • Suggests that continents were once part of a single supercontinent called Pangaea, which broke apart over time.

    Plate Movement

    • Tectonic plates move slowly, estimated at 1 to 10 cm per year, influenced by convection currents, slab pull, and ridge push.

    Types of Plate Boundaries

    • Divergent: Plates move apart, leading to rift valleys and ocean ridges.
    • Convergent: Plates move towards each other, often forming mountains.
    • Transform: Plates slide past one another without destruction of lithosphere.

    Geological Events and Features

    • Geological events include seismicity (earthquake activity), volcanism, and mountain formation.
    • Significant features are earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain ranges.

    Mid-Ocean Ridge

    • A vast underwater mountain chain, around 65,000 km long, formed from divergent plate boundaries, with a mix of volcanic activity.

    Seafloor Spreading Theory

    • Proposed by Harry Hess and Robert Dietz, explaining how new oceanic crust forms and pushes older crust aside, similar to a conveyor belt.

    Continental Drift Theory

    • First proposed by Alfred Wegener, suggesting that continents were once joined as Pangaea and have drifted apart over geological timescales.

    Evidence Supporting Continental Drift

    • Apparent Fit: Continents like South America and Africa fit together like puzzle pieces.
    • Fossil Correlation: Identical fossils found on widely separated continents indicate historical land connections.
    • Magnetic Reversals: Magnetic patterns on the ocean floor show historical changes in Earth's magnetic field.
    • Ocean Basins: Certain prehistoric species, like Mesosaurus and Glossopteris, found across continents support the theory of drift.

    Rock and Mountain Correlation

    • Similar types and ages of rocks found across different continents suggest a shared geological history. Notable examples include:
      • Appalachian Mountains (USA) and Scottish Highlands.
      • Coal deposits in Antarctica suggest a once-tropical climate.

    Magnetic Reversal

    • The phenomenon where Earth's magnetic poles switch places, evidenced in geological records, particularly notable in oceanic ridges.

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    Description

    Explore the concepts of the lithosphere, tectonic plates, and their boundaries in this informative quiz. Test your knowledge about the Earth's rocky surface and the division of land beneath the oceans. Perfect for students seeking to understand the foundational aspects of our planet's geology.

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