Earth and Environmental Practice Quiz

The diagram below represents a process that occurs within Earth's mantle. What process is represented by this diagram?

Convection

The Appalachian mountain range stopped forming approximately 250 million years ago. The Himalayan mountain range is still actively forming by tectonic forces. Which is most likely true of the Himalayan mountain range compared to the Appalachian mountain range?

It has more earthquakes per year.

The diagram shows what can occur when two continental plates collide. Which characteristic of the Indian Plate explains why it moves under the Eurasian Plate?

It is denser.

Which information can be learned by analyzing a seismogram?

Magnitude of the earthquake Distance of the epicenter from the recording station Amount of time between the p and s wave arrivals All of the above

Which conclusion is best supported by the discovery of the same fossils on separate

Modern land masses were once connected but moved apart.

Two tectonic plates are shown. Geologists predict that folded mountains will form in about 10 million years. Which best explains the motion of the tectonic plates?

Plate 1 is moving east and Plate 2 is moving west.

Which statement describes a result of tectonic plate subduction that functions to help produce new volcanoes?

The heat deep in the crust melts the oceanic crust and reduces its density.

Which analogy best illustrates why Earth's plates move?

The ice on a frozen pond cracks when the water beneath it moves.

A mountain showed the following change in profile over millions of years.

The material weathered to form new sediments.

Antarctica is located on the south pole of Earth where the climate is harsh and bitterly cold. Scientists have discovered fossils of ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals in Antarctica. Which most likely explains how these ectothermic animals survived in

The plate on which Antarctica rests was once closer to the equator than it is

What are the properties of the Earth's crust and mantle that are most responsible for Earth's tectonic activity?

They are in different states and have different temperatures.

Which of the following is the best evidence that an area of land was once covered by a glacier?

abrasion of surface rocks

The surface of Earth is composed of tectonic plates that are constantly shifting as they float on top of molten rock. Which process must occur in the mantle to make the plates move?

convection currents

A fold observed in layers of sedimentary rock most likely resulted from the

converging of crustal plates.

The formation of the Himalayan Mountains is one example of land features caused by compressive forces. Which action most likely led to the formation of these mountains?

colliding plates

The Theory of Plate Tectonics is based on

evidence of sea floor spreading.

Most mountains on Earth occur in huge ranges stretching for thousands of miles. Which event is most likely to cause the formation of these mountain

movement of plates

Which action most often causes sinkholes to form on the surface of

removing groundwater

The diagram shows the motion of tectonic plates. Which term provides the most accurate classification of the geologic structure shown?

reverse fault

The Great Rift Valley is partly located in the African country of Kenya. What most likely caused the formation of this valley?

separation of tectonic plates

New evidence suggests that "hot spots" may form in response to "twisting" stresses on plates. It is theorized that these stresses may eventually result in the splitting apart of the tectonic plate in the area of the hot spot. Which of the geographic features would be affected most by the splitting of a tectonic plate?

the Hawaiian Islands

Which of these is the best evidence that Earth's continental landmasses drifted apart over

the fossil record along the edges of continents

Which of these is evidence for the theory of plate tectonics?

the presence of volcanoes around the Pacific rim

Most volcanoes develop due to interactions between two tectonic plates. Which of the tectonic plate interactions is least likely to produce volcanic activity?

two converging continental plates

Certain movements of oceanic plates cause the formation of new crust on the ocean floor. Which plate movement would result in the formation of new crust?

two oceanic plates pulling away from each other

In certain areas, tectonic plates move over hot spots. Which landforms are most likely associated with these hot spots?

volcanoes