Geol 105 Reading Assessment Chapter 2

The characteristic type of tectonic plate motion associated with a transform plate boundary is A.plates move laterally past each other with horizontal motion. B.plates move directly towards each other and one plate sinks deep into the mantle. C.plates move directly towards each other and one plate slides beneath the other. D.plates move directly away from each other.

A.plates move laterally past each other with horizontal motion.

Earthquakes occur at all tectonic plate boundaries EXCEPT transform plate boundaries. Correct A. True B. False

B. False

Which of the following is TRUE about plate tectonics? A.Explains that continents drift around the globe, whereas the oceanic crust does not move over geologic time. B.Explains that the earth's crust is split into plates that float on a completely molten mantle. C.It is a controversial idea that most geologists now think is incorrect. D.Explains that the earth's lithosphere is split into large pieces that move on top of a weak and hot layer called the asthenosphere.

D.Explains that the earth's lithosphere is split into large pieces that move on top of a weak and hot layer called the asthenosphere.

Where would you find ridge-push, a possible mechanism for driving the motion of tectonic plates? A.Convergent boundary B.Divergent boundary C.Transform fault boundary D.Hotspot E.Between a continent and an ocean plate

B.Divergent boundary

What is the importance of magnetic reversals to the theory of plate tectonics? A.It causes earthquakes. B.It provides evidence for seafloor spreading. C.It causes volcanic eruptions. D.It is associated with mass extinction events. E.It explains times of rapid change on the Earth's surface.

B.It provides evidence for seafloor spreading.

What is the importance of magnetic reversals to the theory of plate tectonics? A.It causes earthquakes. B.It provides evidence for seafloor spreading. C.It causes volcanic eruptions. D.It is associated with mass extinction events. E.It explains times of rapid change on the Earth's surface.

B.It provides evidence for seafloor spreading.

All of the following are forces that may contribute to plate movements EXCEPT A.convection currents within the asthenosphere. B.centrifugal forces from the rotation of the Earth. C.the gravitational pull of the Earth on the subducting slabs of oceanic lithosphere. D.the gravitational pull of the Earth on plates away from the mid-ocean ridges.

B.centrifugal forces from the rotation of the Earth.

Pangaea refers to the enormous single ocean that was produced when all of the continents were assembled. A. True B. False

B. False

Tectonic plates are actively separating at convergent plate boundaries and subduction zones. A. True B. False

B. False

Tectonic plates move completely continuously at speeds of several centimeters per year. A. True B. False

B. False

The asthenosphere layer of the Earth is completely liquid. A. True B. False

B. False

The mantle is a layer of molten iron metal that surrounds the solid inner core. A. True B. False

B. False

Convergent plate boundaries generally represent a greater hazard to people than divergent or transform plate boundaries due to the threat of major earthquakes, explosive volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides (associated with the mountain chains). A. True B. False

A. True

During subduction, one plate sinks under another tectonic plate. A. True B. False

A. True

In California, Los Angeles is slowly moving toward San Francisco because the two cities are located on two different tectonic plates with a transform plate boundary in between. A. True B. False

A. True

Over geologic time New York City is moving farther away from London, England due to movement associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Correct A. True B. False

A. True

Reconstructing all of the continents into a single supercontinent called Pangaea helps to explain better evidence of ancient glaciation on several continents, especially in terms of ice flow directions. Correct A. True B. False

A. True

Triple junctions are where three tectonic plates border each other. A. True B. False

A. True

Why aren't volcanoes associated with continent-continent convergence? A.Both plates are too buoyant to sink into the asthenosphere. B.The continental plate isn't hot enough to cause volcanoes. C.Volcanoes are not associated with convergent plate boundaries. D.Rising magma from melted plates can't break through continental crust. E.Volcanoes only occur on islands in the ocean and not on land.

A.Both plates are too buoyant to sink into the asthenosphere.

What would be the correct relationship between the crust and the lithosphere? A.The crust sits on top of the lithosphere. B.The lithosphere sits on top of the crust. C.The lithosphere and the crust are the same thing. D.The lithosphere contains both the oceans and the continents, the crust only includes continents. E.The lithosphere is liquid, whereas the crust is solid.

A.The crust sits on top of the lithosphere.

Which tectonic plate setting is associated with the following features: light to moderate earthquakes; nonexplosive volcanic eruptions; new oceanic lithosphere produced? Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a geographic example. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

A.divergent plate boundary

Which of the following hazards would you expect to see at a divergent plate boundary? A.moderate strength earthquakes; non-explosive volcanic eruptions; flooding if volcanoes erupt underwater or ice such as in Iceland B.large earthquakes; explosive volcanic eruptions; landslides and flooding due to long chain of volcanic mountains C.large earthquakes; no volcanoes; landslides and flooding due to the large plateau of very high mountains D.large earthquakes; no volcanoes; flooding if the plate boundary is hilly

A.moderate strength earthquakes; non-explosive volcanic eruptions; flooding if volcanoes erupt underwater or ice such as in Iceland

The youngest seafloor rocks are found A.nearest to the mid-ocean ridges. B.nearest to the continental shelves. C.evenly distributed throughout the ocean. D.underneath the continents. E.where the ocean is the flattest.

A.nearest to the mid-ocean ridges.

Which tectonic plate setting is associated with the following features: great earthquakes; explosive volcanic eruptions; oceanic plate sinks into mantle and remelts? Andes Mountains are a geographic example. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone)

Tectonic plates move about as fast as A.a car moves on a city street. B.fingernails grow. C.a swallow flies. D.a tortoise walks. E.hotspot.

B.fingernails grow.

Geologists tested the model of sea floor spreading by dating rocks from the ocean floor. The model successfully predicted that ocean rocks A.get younger with increasing distance from a mid-ocean ridge. B.get older with increasing distance from a mid-ocean ridge. C.get older moving from south to north along the top of a mid-ocean ridge. D.show no particular pattern of age with respect to the mid-ocean ridges.

B.get older with increasing distance from a mid-ocean ridge.

Reversals of the earth's magnetic polarity A.occur with a regular periodicity; the next one will happen in about 140 years. B.have occurred randomly in the past and represent times when the south magnetic pole was swapped in location with the north magnetic pole. C.have occurred randomly in the past and represent times when the earth turned upside-down D.are a consequence of major earthquakes. E.have not happened since the end of the Paleozoic.

B.have occurred randomly in the past and represent times when the south magnetic pole was swapped in location with the north magnetic pole.

Reversals of the earth's magnetic polarity A.occur with a regular periodicity; the next one will happen in about 140 years. B.have occurred randomly in the past and represent times when the south magnetic pole was swapped in location with the north magnetic pole. C.have occurred randomly in the past and represent times when the earth turned upside-down D.are a consequence of major earthquakes. E.have not happened since the end of the Paleozoic.

B.have occurred randomly in the past and represent times when the south magnetic pole was swapped in location with the north magnetic pole.

Which of the following hazards would you expect to see at a convergent plate boundary associated with a subduction zone? A.moderate strength earthquakes; non-explosive volcanic eruptions; flooding if volcanoes erupt underwater such as in Iceland B.large earthquakes; explosive volcanic eruptions; landslides and flooding due to long chain of volcanic mountains C.large earthquakes; no volcanoes; landslides and flooding due to the large plateau of very high mountains D.large earthquakes; no volcanoes; flooding if the plate boundary is hilly

B.large earthquakes; explosive volcanic eruptions; landslides and flooding due to long chain of volcanic mountains

The Himalayas are associated with which of the following tectonic plate boundaries? A.Ocean-continental convergence (subduction) B.Ocean-ocean convergence (subduction) C.Continent-continent convergence (collision) D.Divergent E.Transform

C.Continent-continent convergence (collision)

Which of the following is NOT a significant source of the internal heat of the earth? A.Original heat of formation of the planet B.Heat generated by crystallization of the core C.Heat from the Sun D.Radioactive decay of elements scattered throughout the mantle

C.Heat from the Sun

What is the difference between the inner and outer core of the Earth? A.The inner core is liquid and the outer core is solid. B.The inner core is made from magma and the outer core is metal. C.The inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid. D.The inner core is cool and the outer core is hot. E.The inner core is hot and the outer core is cool.

C.The inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid.

Which tectonic plate boundary is associated with the following features: major earthquakes; no volcanoes; large and high mountain chain is formed? Himalayan Mountains are a geographic example. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone)

Which tectonic plate boundary is associated with the following features: major earthquakes; no volcanoes; large and high mountain chain is formed? Himalayan Mountains are a geographic example. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone)

If you wanted to draw the boundaries of tectonic plates on a world map, which of the following maps would give you the most complete information? A.active volcanoes B.mid-ocean ridges C.earthquake distribution D.edge of continental shelves E.hotspots

C.earthquake distribution

What would you NOT expect to see at locations where tectonic plates are sinking? A.Earthquakes B.Volcanoes C.Magma D.Undersea mountain range that wraps around the Earth like seams of a baseball E.Subduction of oceanic lithosphere

D.Undersea mountain range that wraps around the Earth like seams of a baseball

Marine magnetic anomalies are now known to have developed because A.magnetic reversals were finally shown to be a consequence of variations in the orientation of the earth's magnetic field lines relative to the equator. B.there are linear strips of iron ore embedded in the seafloor as a consequence of sea-floor spreading. C.movement at convergent margins tends to distort the earth's magnetic field over broad distances. D.different strips of seafloor formed at different times on an earth whose magnetic polarity occasionally reverses through geologic time. E.movement of the continents relative to the magnetic field.

D.different strips of seafloor formed at different times on an earth whose magnetic polarity occasionally reverses through geologic time.

The Hawaiian Islands are an example of A.two ocean plates converging. B.two continental plates converging. C.diverging plates. D.hotspots. E.transform plate boundary.

D.hotspots.

Which tectonic plate boundary is associated with the following features: strong to major earthquakes; no volcanoes; no mountain chain is formed? San Andreas fault is a geographic example. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

D.transform plate boundary

Which tectonic plate boundary is associated with the following features: strong to major earthquakes; no volcanoes; no mountain chain is formed? San Andreas fault is a geographic example. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

D.transform plate boundary

Which of the following best describes the internal structure of the earth? A.An orange, it has a thin peel with a solid, but watery inside. B.A bowling ball, it is completely solid all the way through. C.An egg, it is solid at the core, surrounded by liquid and then a hard outer shell. D.A geode, it is hollow at the center with a strong, hard, outside layer. E.A chocolate covered cherry, it is solid at the core surrounded by a liquid layer and semi-solid layer, then covered in a thin solid coating.

E.A chocolate covered cherry, it is solid at the core surrounded by a liquid layer and semi-solid layer, then covered in a thin solid coating.

Where are earthquakes usually the LEAST common? A.Convergent plate boundaries B.Divergent plate boundaries C.Transform plate boundaries D.Hotspots E.Central region of tectonic plates

E.Central region of tectonic plates

Which of the following is FALSE about the mantle? A.The mantle surrounds the outer core. B.The mantle is composed of iron- and magnesium-rich rocks. C.The density of the rocks in the mantle is higher than water. D.The density of the rocks in the mantle is lower than the outer core. E.The mantle is mostly liquid.

E.The mantle is mostly liquid.

Which of the following is FALSE about the mantle? A.The mantle surrounds the outer core. B.The mantle is composed of iron- and magnesium-rich rocks. C.The density of the rocks in the mantle is higher than water. D.The density of the rocks in the mantle is lower than the outer core. E.The mantle is mostly liquid.

E.The mantle is mostly liquid.

The energy for plate tectonics comes from A.the magnetic field of the earth. B.heat from the sun. C.gravity between the Earth and Moon. D.ocean currents. E.heat from the earth's core.

E.heat from the earth's core.

Which tectonic plate setting is associated with the following features: volcanic eruptions; magma rises from deep in the mantle; can produce a chain of extinct volcanoes with increasing distance from the active volcano? Yellowstone National Park and Hawaiian islands are geographic examples. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

E.hotspot

Which tectonic plate setting is associated with the following features: volcanic eruptions; magma rises from deep in the mantle; can produce a chain of extinct volcanoes with increasing distance from the active volcano? Yellowstone National Park and Hawaiian islands are geographic examples. A.divergent plate boundary B.convergent plate boundary (subduction zone) C.convergent plate boundary (collision zone) D.transform plate boundary E.hotspot

E.hotspot