Exam 3: Earth Structure and Plate Tectonics

Geologists believe that a new ocean basin is forming ____.

The Hawaiian Islands formed as they pass over a hot spot in the middle of the ____.

The oceanic crust is primarily made of basalt.

With the development of radiometric dating, scientists discovered that the oldest rocks were typically ____.

Japan is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences many earthquakes. Almost all of the earthquakes around Japan occur ____.

Alfred Wegener was a polar explorer who suggested that at one time, Earth's landmasses were joined into a supercontinent called Pangaea.

The magnetic striping of the seafloor is considered evidence of seafloor spreading and ____.

The Hawaiian Islands were formed within the last 2 million years above a hot spot that is now inactive.

The largest known mantle plume is located beneath ____.

Convection within the inner core facilitates continental drift.

What are the primary components in Earth's continental crust?

Density is a measure of relative heaviness and is defined as mass per unit volume.

A cross section of Earth reveals a layered structure that has different thicknesses and densities. How do geologists know this?

Using the Atlantic Ocean as an example, describe in detail how an ocean basin is formed.

A boundary in which crustal plates slide laterally past one another is called a ____.

The asthenosphere is cooler than the lithosphere.

Transform faults are never found at mid-ocean ridges.

Describe the mechanism that controls the formation of the Hawaiian Islands. Is this island chain still actively forming?

Subduction zones are areas where new seafloor is created.

Which statement with regard to hot spots is true?