Earth History review

Intense heat and pressure in Earth's crust can change sandstone into quartzite. During this metamorphosis, many properties of these rocks change. Which property of these rocks will MOST likely remain the same? a. mass b. volume c. particle shape d. crystal structure

a. mass

Ms. B read the following statement, "As the continental plates spread apart, new crust is created at a rate of about 4 centimeters (cm) per year." Which process directly contributes to the phenomenon described here? a. Liquid magma from the mantle rises to the surface. b. Tiny rock fragments are compressed to form new rock. c. Shock waves are created when two tectonic plates move past one another. d. Crustal materials are eroded and fragments are washed away.

a. Liquid magma from the mantle rises to the surface.

The structures created at convergent boundaries under the ocean are different than the structures created at those boundaries on land. Which statement describes this difference? a. Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent mountains will form. b. Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent a rift valley will form. c. Under the ocean there will be sea-floor spreading, and on a continent a rift will form. d. Under the ocean there will be sea-floor spreading, and on a continent a fault will form.

a. Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent mountains will form.

Geologists were examining an area in Africa called the Great Rift Valley. Which geologic event most likely caused the formation of the valley? a. diverging continental plates b. collision of tectonic plates c. movement of glaciers d. impacts from meteors

a. diverging continental plates

Which of the following is the MOST recent evidence of plate tectonics? a. volcanic activity and sea-floor spreading at the mid-ocean ridges b. similar fossils found on continents that are now separated by oceans c. the observation that the continents of South America and Africa fit together like in a puzzle d. similar rock formations found on different continents that are now separated by oceans

a. volcanic activity and sea-floor spreading at the mid-ocean ridges

The arrows on the map below show the general motion of Earth's major plates. Which number is most likely the location of a volcano formed by a divergent boundary? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

b. 2

Which statement describes an aspect of tectonic plate motion directly caused by density differences among tectonic plates? a. Ocean plates move outward from the midocean ridge. b. When ocean and continental plates collide, the ocean plate is subducted. c. Continental plates are thicker and contain older material than ocean plates. d. The orientation of magnetic particles in ocean plates changes at regular intervals.

b. When ocean and continental plates collide, the ocean plate is subducted.

On the ocean floor, there are long mountain ranges called midoceanic ridges. Which description explains how these geological structures were formed? a. a transform boundary where one ocean plate slides past another ocean plate b. a diverging boundary where two ocean plates move apart from one another c. a converging boundary where an ocean plate sinks beneath a continental plate d. a converging boundary where an ocean plate sinks beneath another ocean plate

b. a diverging boundary where two ocean plates move apart from one another

Where are most volcanoes located? a. at divergent boundaries, transform boundaries, and hot spots b. at convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries, and hot spots c. at convergent boundaries, hot spots, and transform boundaries d. at divergent boundaries, convergent boundaries, and transform boundaries

b. at convergent boundaries, divergent boundaries, and hot spots

Which type of plate boundary is MOST responsible for the formation of the Himalayan Range? a. divergent boundary within an oceanic crust b. convergent boundary between two continental crusts c. convergent boundary between two oceanic crusts d. divergent boundary within a continental crust

b. convergent boundary between two continental crusts

This mountain range is the result of which type of boundary interaction? a. divergent boundary between two continental plates b. convergent boundary between two continental plates c. divergent boundary between a continental plate and an oceanic plate d. convergent boundary between a continental plate and an oceanic plate

b. convergent boundary between two continental plates

A fold observed in layers of sedimentary rock most likely resulted from the a. cooling of flowing magma. b. converging of crustal plates. c. deposition of river sediments. d. solution of carbonate minerals.

b. converging of crustal plates.

Large crystals in an igneous rock most likely form as a result of the a. mineral composition of the magma b. cooling rate of the magma c. fossil content of the rock d. color of the rock

b. cooling rate of the magma

A geologist drew a diagram illustrating a section of a boundary between two tectonic plates. His diagram includes the geologic feature shown below. What type of plate boundary created this feature? a. transform boundary between two continental plates b. divergent boundary between two continental plates c. transform boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate d. convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate

b. divergent boundary between two continental plates

Tectonic motion caused tension between plates in Earth's crust. A sudden release of this energy occurred. Based on this information, which event happened? a. subsidence b. earthquake c. volcanic eruption d. meteoroid impact

b. earthquake

Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent boundaries. Which statement best identifies the geologic process taking place at the point where seafloor spreading occurs? a. a trench is forming b. new crust is forming c. oceanic crust is subducting d. a continental plate is subducting

b. new crust is forming

To demonstrate the movements of plates along a transform boundary, a teacher placed two books side by side on a table, as shown in Figure 1. Next, the teacher moved the two books, as shown in Figure 2. Which geological event would most likely occur along the type of boundary demonstrated? a. eruption of volcanoes b. occurrence of earthquakes c. development of rift valleys d. formation of mountain ranges

b. occurrence of earthquakes

Which U.S. feature was formed through the geological process of continental accretion? a. the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico b. the Aleutian Islands of Alaska c. the Grand Canyon in Arizona d. the Delicate Arch in Utah

b. the Aleutian Islands of Alaska

Which U.S. feature was formed through the geological process of continental accretion? a. the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico b. the Aleutian Islands of Alaska c. the Grand Canyon in Arizona d. the Delicate Arch in Utah

b. the Aleutian Islands of Alaska

The topographic map below shows a section of a North American fault. The dots that run down the middle of the map trace the path of a creek. Notice that the path of the creek shifts as it crosses the fault. What type of plate boundary is associated with this type of change in a geographic feature? a. divergent boundary b. transform boundary c. oceanic-continental convergent boundary d. continental-continental convergent boundary

b. transform boundary

Which of the following would MOST likely slow Earth's tectonic activity? a. Earth's crust becomes cooler. b. Earth's mantle becomes warmer. c. Earth's mantle becomes cooler. d. Earth's outer core becomes warmer.

c. Earth's mantle becomes cooler.

Which of the following BEST explains why Earth is tectonically active? a. Earth's solid surface layer rotates more rapidly than the layers beneath it. b. Areas of Earth's solid surface layer are under great pressure from ocean water c. Earth's solid surface layer sits on a layer of semimolten rock that slowly flows. d. Areas of Earth's solid surface layer are thicker and so heavier than other areas.

c. Earth's solid surface layer sits on a layer of semimolten rock that slowly flows.

Which of the following best explains why Earth is tectonically active? a. Earth's solid surface layer rotates more rapidly than the layers beneath it. b. Areas of Earth's solid surface layer are under great pressure from ocean water. c. Earth's solid surface layer sits on a moving, semiliquid layer. d. Areas of Earth's solid surface layer are thicker and so heavier than other areas

c. Earth's solid surface layer sits on a moving, semiliquid layer.

Oceanic crust is composed mainly of basalt. Continental crust is composed mainly of granite. Why does oceanic crust generally tend to subduct under continental crust when plates collide? a. The oceanic crust is thicker than the continental crust. b. The continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust. c. The oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust. d. The continental crust is denser than the oceanic crust.

c. The oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust.

Metamorphic rocks form as a direct result of a. precipitation from evaporating water b. melting and solidification in magma c. erosion and deposition of soil particles d. heat and pressure causing changes in existing rock

d. heat and pressure causing changes in existing rock

Which statement BEST describes the greatest impact that the ozone layer has had on the geosphere? a. The ozone layer served as a catalyst for the oxidization of exposed iron-containing surface rocks. b. The ozone layer prevented surface rocks from being broken down by high-energy ultraviolet light. c. The presence of the ozone layer was necessary for the formation of organic sedimentary rocks. d. The presence of the ozone layer allowed for liquid water to form and start eroding exposed rock at the surface.

c. The presence of the ozone layer was necessary for the formation of organic sedimentary rocks.

Which is the BEST evidence that rocks found deep underground were once exposed at the surface? a. The rocks have been melted by a magma. b. The rocks have been broken by faults. c. The rocks have been weathered by water. d. The rocks have been folded by pressure.

c. The rocks have been weathered by water.

What do most igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks have in common? a. They are formed from molten material. b. They are produced by heat and pressure c. They are composed of minerals d. They exhibit crystal, banding, and distinct layers

c. They are composed of minerals

In 1911 Alfred Wegener read a scientific paper that listed identical fossils found on distant continents. How did this evidence contribute to the modern theory of how the continents resulted in their current shapes? a. by showing that the cooling of Earth helped produce continents b. by suggesting that forces have caused continents to separate over time c. by showing that biological evolution is similar on separate continents d. by suggesting that liquid rock in the mantle solidifies in the continental crust

c. by showing that biological evolution is similar on separate continents

The formation of the Himalayan Mountains is one example of land features caused by compressive forces. Which action led to the formation of these mountains? a. seafloor spreading b. strike-slip faulting c. colliding plates d. hot spots

c. colliding plates

Over time, non-volcanic mountains can form due to the interaction of plate boundaries. Which interaction is MOST likely associated with the formation of non-volcanic mountains? a. oceanic plates colliding with oceanic plates b. oceanic plates separating from oceanic plates c. continental plates colliding with continental plates d. continental plates separating from continental plates

c. continental plates colliding with continental plates

Over time, nonvolcanic mountains can form due to the interaction of plate boundaries. Which interaction is most likely associated with the formation of nonvolcanic mountains? a. oceanic plates colliding with oceanic plates b. oceanic plates separating from oceanic plates c. continental plates colliding with continental plates d. continental plates separating from continental plates

c. continental plates colliding with continental plates

The Himalayan Mountain chain is the youngest and tallest mountain chain on Earth. Which phenomenon contributed most to this area of continental buildup? a. erosion of surrounding continental materials b. eruptions of continental shield volcanoes c. convergence of continental plates d. subsidence of continental landmass

c. convergence of continental plates

Which type of rock is formed when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure? a. sandstone b. basalt c. marble d. granite

c. marble

Convection currents in the mantle are thought to be the driving force behind tectonic movement. At which location do the convection currents cause the plates to diverge? a. strikeslip fault b. subduction zone c. midocean ridges d. folded mountains

c. midocean ridges

The map shows all earthquakes in the western United States during a 24-hour period in July. Based on the locations shown on the map, what is the most likely cause of most of the recorded earthquakes? a. divergent motion of two oceanic plates b. divergent motion of two parts of a continental plate c. subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate d. subduction of a continental plate beneath another continental plate

c. subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate

A rock is composed of several large, rounded pebbles and sand grains cemented together. Which inference about the rock is best supported by this description? a. the rock is older than the pebbles b. the rock is igneous c. the rock is sedimentary d. the rock resulted from evaporation of sea water

c. the rock is sedimentary

Most volcanoes develop due to interactions between two tectonic plates. Which of the tectonic plate interactions is least likely to produce volcanic activity? a. two diverging oceanic plates b. two converging oceanic plates c. two diverging continental plates d. two converging continental plates

c. two diverging continental plates

Which analogy BEST illustrates why Earth's plates move? a. A glass shatters as it falls from a table onto a tile floor. b. A tree root grows into a ledge and breaks off a piece of rock. c. Burning diesel fuel forces a piston downward, turning the crankshaft. d. A moving sidewalk transports travelers from one gate to another at an airport.

d. A moving sidewalk transports travelers from one gate to another at an airport.

Which of the following observations best supports Alfred Wegener's theory of continental drift? a. Similar animal species are found in Asia and North America. b. Patterns of the major oceanic currents stay consistent from year to year. c. Changes in Earth's magnetic field have been documented in ocean floor rocks. d. Identical fossils are found along the coastal region of Africa and South America.

d. Identical fossils are found along the coastal region of Africa and South America.

Mr. Thompson's class was discussing the topic of tectonic boundaries. He asked the students to identify a landform that was made at a convergent boundary. Which landform should the students identify? a. North American Continent b. Mid-Atlantic Ridge c. Hawaiian Islands d. Marianas Trench

d. Marianas Trench

Which ongoing process causes the buildup of energy that is released at a later time when an earthquake occurs? a. Heat from Earth's core slowly melts the rocks found deep in Earth's crust. b. Nuclear reactions in Earth's lower crust release electromagnetic waves. c. Jagged edges along a fault generate friction between two moving tectonic plates. d. Tectonic plates near a fault continue to move even though the fault remains motionless.

d. Tectonic plates near a fault continue to move even though the fault remains motionless.

South America and Africa are two continents separated by a large ocean. Scientists have found 200millionyearold Mesosaurus fossils on both continents. What is the explanation for the reason these fossils can be found on both continents? a. The continents were both created through volcanic activity. b. The fossils were brought to South America by explorers. c. The animals crossed a land bridge that once connected the continents. d. The continents were once attached to each other and then drifted apart

d. The continents were once attached to each other and then drifted apart

Which type of plate boundary is most responsible for the formation of the Himalayan Range? a. divergent boundary within an oceanic crust b. divergent boundary within a continental crust c. convergent boundary between two oceanic crusts d. convergent boundary between two continental crusts

d. convergent boundary between two continental crusts

Which differences in properties of Earth's crust and mantle are MOST responsible for tectonic activity? a. differences in state and density b. differences in color and viscosity c. differences in temperature and color d. differences in temperature and viscosity

d. differences in temperature and viscosity

Plate movement can form different features on Earth. The movement of tectonic plates can be both a constructive and a destructive force. At which type of plate boundary is new crust formed? a. convergent b. subduction c. transform d. divergent

d. divergent

Gabbro and basalt are classified as igneous rocks. Even though the names are different, they have the same chemical composition. Geologists normally use what feature for identification purposes to differentiate between these two rock types? a. color b. texture c. hardness d. origin

d. origin

When an igneous intrusion comes into contact with surrounding rock, the surrounding rock will a. erode. b. foliate. c. precipitate. d. recrystallize.

d. recrystallize.

The diagram shows a volcano. This volcano was most likely caused by which activity? a. faulting at a transform boundary b. faulting at a convergent boundary c. subduction at a transform boundary d. subduction at a convergent boundary

d. subduction at a convergent boundary

What causes the oceanic crust to be pushed under the continental crust a. the weight of the ocean water on the oceanic crust b. the reduction of friction on the oceanic crust c. the depth of the oceanic crust d. the higher density of the oceanic crust

d. the higher density of the oceanic crust

After fossils are formed, which process is MOST likely to destroy them? a. the carbon cycle b. the nitrogen cycle c. the water cycle d. the rock cycle

d. the rock cycle

A scientist designs a mathematical model of the rock cycle. The model predicts how changes in Earth processes will affect the amounts of different types of rock on Earth. Which quantity should stay the same as Earth processes change? a. he average rate at which Earth rotates b. the average distance of Earth from the Sun c. the total number of inactive volcanoes on Earth d. the total amount of material on Earth

d. the total amount of material on Earth

When tectonic plates move, they can form different landforms. Which is least likely to be associated with the tectonic plate movement that forms volcanoes? a. hot spot b. rift valley c. subduction zone d. transform boundary

d. transform boundary

Most volcanoes develop due to interactions between two tectonic plates. Which of the tectonic plate interactions is least likely to produce volcanic activity? a. two diverging oceanic plates b. two converging oceanic plates c. two diverging continental plates d. two converging continental plates

d. 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? a. one oceanic plate sliding past another b. one oceanic plate slipping beneath another c. two oceanic plates colliding against each other d. two oceanic plates pulling away from each other

d. two oceanic plates pulling away from each other