Question 1

Unconsolidated sediments atop the oceanic lithosphere contain all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  fine- grained, reddish brown clays. 
B)  calcareous microscopic marine organisms. 
C)  pillowed basaltic lavas. 
D)  siliceous microscopic marine organisms. 
A)  fine- grained, reddish brown clays. 
B)  calcareous microscopic marine organisms. 
C)  pillowed basaltic lavas. 
D)  siliceous microscopic marine organisms. C

Question 2

All of the following statements describe the effects of plate tectonics on Earth Systems EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  rifting and associated volcanic activity may have contributed to extinctions. 
B)  gas emissions from subduction- zone volcanoes may alter the Earth's climate. 
C)  pieces of old subducted plates are recycled in the deep mantle. 
D)  convergent zones may have been the site where complex organic molecules formed. 
A)  rifting and associated volcanic activity may have contributed to extinctions. 
B)  gas emissions from subduction- zone volcanoes may alter the Earth's climate. 
C)  pieces of old subducted plates are recycled in the deep mantle. 
D)  convergent zones may have been the site where complex organic molecules formed. D

Question 3

A failed rift is:

Accepted Answer

A)  any continental rifting in which a three- branched fracture has developed. 
B)  the two active arms of a three- branched fracture that forms after the initial stages of continental rifting. 
C)  the inactive arm of a three- branched fracture. 
D)  the juncture of a three- branched fracture in the initial stages of continental rifting. 
A)  any continental rifting in which a three- branched fracture has developed. 
B)  the two active arms of a three- branched fracture that forms after the initial stages of continental rifting. 
C)  the inactive arm of a three- branched fracture. 
D)  the juncture of a three- branched fracture in the initial stages of continental rifting. C

Question 4

Which of the following methods uses gravity anomalies to create maps of the ocean floor?

Accepted Answer

A)  SEASAT. 
B)  Seismic profiling. 
C)  Deep Sea Drilling Project. 
D)  Echo- sounding sonar. 
A)  SEASAT. 
B)  Seismic profiling. 
C)  Deep Sea Drilling Project. 
D)  Echo- sounding sonar.

Question 5

A me´lange is a:

Accepted Answer

A)  composite metamorphic rock formation formed at continental collision zones. 
B)  metamorphosed sequence of rocks that formerly constituted a vertical column of oceanic lithosphere. 
C)  sequence of rocks produced by subduction- zone volcanism. 
D)  composite mixture of rock and sediment pressed against the inner wall of a subduction trench. 
A)  composite metamorphic rock formation formed at continental collision zones. 
B)  metamorphosed sequence of rocks that formerly constituted a vertical column of oceanic lithosphere. 
C)  sequence of rocks produced by subduction- zone volcanism. 
D)  composite mixture of rock and sediment pressed against the inner wall of a subduction trench.

Question 6

All of the following are examples of a particular stage of rifting EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  the Great Rift valley of East Africa, which may be a failed arm of a three- branched rift. 
B)  the Red Sea, which is an active arm of continuing divergence. 
C)  the Rio Grande region of Colorado and New Mexico, which is an area of initial crustal stretching and thinning. 
D)  the northeast coast of the United States, which shows evidence of future rifting. 
A)  the Great Rift valley of East Africa, which may be a failed arm of a three- branched rift. 
B)  the Red Sea, which is an active arm of continuing divergence. 
C)  the Rio Grande region of Colorado and New Mexico, which is an area of initial crustal stretching and thinning. 
D)  the northeast coast of the United States, which shows evidence of future rifting.

Question 7

The Hawai'ian Islands and the Emperor Seamount chain were formed by:

Accepted Answer

A)  a hot spot that migrates to the northwest beneath the Pacific plate. 
B)  the Pacific plate, which is moving in a northwest direction over a stationary hot spot. 
C)  the Pacific plate, which is moving in a southeast direction over a stationary hot spot. 
D)  a hot spot that migrates to the southeast beneath the Pacific plate. 
A)  a hot spot that migrates to the northwest beneath the Pacific plate. 
B)  the Pacific plate, which is moving in a northwest direction over a stationary hot spot. 
C)  the Pacific plate, which is moving in a southeast direction over a stationary hot spot. 
D)  a hot spot that migrates to the southeast beneath the Pacific plate.

Question 8

The mechanisms for all of the following plate motions are somewhat understood EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  motions of the continental lithosphere. 
B)  Pacific- style plate subduction. 
C)  lateral motion of oceanic plates. 
D)  Atlantic- style mid- ocean plate divergence. 
A)  motions of the continental lithosphere. 
B)  Pacific- style plate subduction. 
C)  lateral motion of oceanic plates. 
D)  Atlantic- style mid- ocean plate divergence.

Question 9

All of the following are useful in determining the plate velocity EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  changes in the time it takes ships to cross the ocean. 
B)  the distance of a marine magnetic anomaly from a mid- ocean ridge. 
C)  changes in the time it takes for a laser beam to return from a satellite. 
D)  radiometric dating of seamount chains. 
A)  changes in the time it takes ships to cross the ocean. 
B)  the distance of a marine magnetic anomaly from a mid- ocean ridge. 
C)  changes in the time it takes for a laser beam to return from a satellite. 
D)  radiometric dating of seamount chains.

Question 10

What are some of the basic assumptions of the theory of plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

The theory of plate tectonics states tha

Question 11

Which of the following statements about marine magnetic anomalies is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The distance of a specific anomaly from a subduction zone is useful in determining plate velocity. 
B)  They are often symmetrical about mid- ocean ridges. 
C)  They represent alternating periods of time when the magnetic polarity of the Earth was reversed. 
D)  They are alternating bands of stronger and weaker magnetism in the rocks of the ocean floor. 
A)  The distance of a specific anomaly from a subduction zone is useful in determining plate velocity. 
B)  They are often symmetrical about mid- ocean ridges. 
C)  They represent alternating periods of time when the magnetic polarity of the Earth was reversed. 
D)  They are alternating bands of stronger and weaker magnetism in the rocks of the ocean floor.

Question 12

An ophiolite suite is:

Accepted Answer

A)  the sequence of rocks that makes up a subduction zone. 
B)  the sequence of rocks that makes up oceanic lithosphere. 
C)  the sequence of rocks that makes up the mid- ocean ridge. 
D)  the sequence of rocks that makes up a continental suture zone. 
A)  the sequence of rocks that makes up a subduction zone. 
B)  the sequence of rocks that makes up oceanic lithosphere. 
C)  the sequence of rocks that makes up the mid- ocean ridge. 
D)  the sequence of rocks that makes up a continental suture zone.

Question 13

What is the process of backarc spreading?

Accepted Answer

Continental shields are broad areas of e

Question 14

The LAGEOS satellite is used to:

Accepted Answer

A)  determine plate movement by staying in orbit over the plate that is being measured. 
B)  determine directional plate movements as the satellite changes latitudinal directions. 
C)  determine the rate of plate movement by providing a fixed reference point. 
D)  determine plate velocity by changing speeds until there is a fixed mathematical ratio. 
A)  determine plate movement by staying in orbit over the plate that is being measured. 
B)  determine directional plate movements as the satellite changes latitudinal directions. 
C)  determine the rate of plate movement by providing a fixed reference point. 
D)  determine plate velocity by changing speeds until there is a fixed mathematical ratio.

Question 15

All of the following are examples of rivers that follow the course of ancient failed rift EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  North America's Mississippi River. 
B)  Yukon River in Alaska. 
C)  South America's Amazon River. 
D)  Africa's Niger River. 
A)  North America's Mississippi River. 
B)  Yukon River in Alaska. 
C)  South America's Amazon River. 
D)  Africa's Niger River.

Question 16

Rifting sometimes stops after an initial period of faulting and volcanism:

Accepted Answer

A)  because the asthenosphere convection current ceases. 
B)  but it is not known why such rifting ceases. 
C)  because the position of other plates stops further movement. 
D)  because the asthenosphere convection current is too weak to move the plates further. 
A)  because the asthenosphere convection current ceases. 
B)  but it is not known why such rifting ceases. 
C)  because the position of other plates stops further movement. 
D)  because the asthenosphere convection current is too weak to move the plates further.

Question 17

Which of the following mapping method studies layers beneath the ocean floor?

Accepted Answer

A)  SEASAT. 
B)  Echo- sounding sonar. 
C)  Seismic profiling. 
D)  None of the above. 
A)  SEASAT. 
B)  Echo- sounding sonar. 
C)  Seismic profiling. 
D)  None of the above.

Question 18

The speed of tectonic plate movement varies from plate to plate in the range of:

Accepted Answer

A)  1 to 10 feet per year. 
B)  1 to 10 millimeters per year. 
C)  1 to 10 centimeters per year. 
D)  1 to 10 inches per year. 
A)  1 to 10 feet per year. 
B)  1 to 10 millimeters per year. 
C)  1 to 10 centimeters per year. 
D)  1 to 10 inches per year.

Question 19

The correct sequence of subduction- zone features from land seaward is:

Accepted Answer

A)  continent, backarc basin, accretionary wedge, volcanic arc, forearc basin, trench. 
B)  continent, backarc basin, volcanic arc, forearc basin, accretionary wedge, trench. 
C)  continent, accretionary wedge, backarc basin, trench, forearc basin, trench, volcanic arc. 
D)  continent, forearc basin, accretionary wedge, volcanic arc, backarc basin, trench. 
A)  continent, backarc basin, accretionary wedge, volcanic arc, forearc basin, trench. 
B)  continent, backarc basin, volcanic arc, forearc basin, accretionary wedge, trench. 
C)  continent, accretionary wedge, backarc basin, trench, forearc basin, trench, volcanic arc. 
D)  continent, forearc basin, accretionary wedge, volcanic arc, backarc basin, trench.

Question 20

The correct sequence of an ophiolite suite, from top to bottom, is:

Accepted Answer

A)  unconsolidated sediments, basalt layer, gabbro, peridotite. 
B)  unconsolidated sediments, basalt layer, peridotite, gabbro. 
C)  unconsolidated sediments, gabbro, peridotite, basalt layer. 
D)  basalt layer, unconsolidated sediments, gabbro, peridotite. 
A)  unconsolidated sediments, basalt layer, gabbro, peridotite. 
B)  unconsolidated sediments, basalt layer, peridotite, gabbro. 
C)  unconsolidated sediments, gabbro, peridotite, basalt layer. 
D)  basalt layer, unconsolidated sediments, gabbro, peridotite.

Unconsolidated sediments atop the oceanic lithosphere contain all of the following EXCEPT:

All of the following statements describe the effects of plate tectonics on Earth Systems EXCEPT:

A failed rift is:

Which of the following methods uses gravity anomalies to create maps of the ocean floor?

A me´lange is a:

All of the following are examples of a particular stage of rifting EXCEPT:

The Hawai'ian Islands and the Emperor Seamount chain were formed by:

The mechanisms for all of the following plate motions are somewhat understood EXCEPT:

All of the following are useful in determining the plate velocity EXCEPT:

What are some of the basic assumptions of the theory of plate tectonics?

Which of the following statements about marine magnetic anomalies is NOT true?

An ophiolite suite is:

What is the process of backarc spreading?

The LAGEOS satellite is used to:

All of the following are examples of rivers that follow the course of ancient failed rift EXCEPT:

Rifting sometimes stops after an initial period of faulting and volcanism:

Which of the following mapping method studies layers beneath the ocean floor?

The speed of tectonic plate movement varies from plate to plate in the range of:

The correct sequence of subduction- zone features from land seaward is:

The correct sequence of an ophiolite suite, from top to bottom, is:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters

Exam 12: Plate Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Oceans

Unconsolidated sediments atop the oceanic lithosphere contain all of the following EXCEPT:

All of the following statements describe the effects of plate tectonics on Earth Systems EXCEPT:

A failed rift is:

Which of the following methods uses gravity anomalies to create maps of the ocean floor?

A me´lange is a:

All of the following are examples of a particular stage of rifting EXCEPT:

The Hawai'ian Islands and the Emperor Seamount chain were formed by:

The mechanisms for all of the following plate motions are somewhat understood EXCEPT:

All of the following are useful in determining the plate velocity EXCEPT:

What are some of the basic assumptions of the theory of plate tectonics?

Which of the following statements about marine magnetic anomalies is NOT true?

An ophiolite suite is:

What is the process of backarc spreading?

The LAGEOS satellite is used to:

All of the following are examples of rivers that follow the course of ancient failed rift EXCEPT:

Rifting sometimes stops after an initial period of faulting and volcanism:

Which of the following mapping method studies layers beneath the ocean floor?

The speed of tectonic plate movement varies from plate to plate in the range of:

The correct sequence of subduction- zone features from land seaward is:

The correct sequence of an ophiolite suite, from top to bottom, is:

A First Look at Planet Earth - Its Origins, Systems, and Tectonic Plates

Minerals

Igneous Rocks and Processes

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering - the Breakdown of Rocks

Sedimentary Processes, Environments, and Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Telling Time Geologically

Earth Structures - Folds, Faults, and Fabrics

Earthquakes

The Earths Interior - Whats Going on Down There

Continental Tectonics and the Formation of the Earths Continents

Mass Movement

Streams and Floods

Groundwater

Glaciers and Ice Ages

Deserts and the Work of Winds

Shores and Coastal Processes

Human Use of the Earths Resources Appendices Glossary

Filters