Question 1

What are the three major types of plate boundaries?

Accepted Answer

A) resurgent, divergent, and emergent 
B) convergent, divergent, and transform 
C) transcurrent, oblique, and resurgent 
D) emergent, oblique, and convergent 
E) transform, transcurrent, and translateral 
A) resurgent, divergent, and emergent 
B) convergent, divergent, and transform 
C) transcurrent, oblique, and resurgent 
D) emergent, oblique, and convergent 
E) transform, transcurrent, and translateral

Question 2

What is the driving mechanism for plate tectonics?

Accepted Answer

A) heat deep within Earth 
B) tidal forces caused by the moon 
C) volcanoes and earthquakes at plate boundaries 
D) gravity and magnetism acting on continents 
E) strong ocean currents and global winds 
A) heat deep within Earth 
B) tidal forces caused by the moon 
C) volcanoes and earthquakes at plate boundaries 
D) gravity and magnetism acting on continents 
E) strong ocean currents and global winds

Question 3

The Curie point is ____.

Accepted Answer

A) where Earth's magnetic poles reverse 
B) the temperature at which iron-bearing minerals gain their magnetization 
C) the point at which remnant magnetism is equal to gravity 
D) where heat escapes from Earth's crust 
E) the north magnetic pole 
A) where Earth's magnetic poles reverse 
B) the temperature at which iron-bearing minerals gain their magnetization 
C) the point at which remnant magnetism is equal to gravity 
D) where heat escapes from Earth's crust 
E) the north magnetic pole

Question 4

What evidence has shown conclusively that the oceanic crust is geologically young and that the parallel magnetic striping pattern of basalts is symmetrical with regard to oceanic ridges?

Accepted Answer

A) radiometric dating of oceanic basalts and sequences from continents exclusively 
B) the unusually thin layer of oceanic sediments and ages of contained fossils exclusively 
C) the existence of the same magnetic anomaly patterns in all ocean basins 
D) radiometric dating of oceanic basalts and sequences from continents AND the unusually thin layer of oceanic sediments and ages of contained fossils 
E) magnetic reversals contained in continental crusts that were at one time oceanic basalts 
A) radiometric dating of oceanic basalts and sequences from continents exclusively 
B) the unusually thin layer of oceanic sediments and ages of contained fossils exclusively 
C) the existence of the same magnetic anomaly patterns in all ocean basins 
D) radiometric dating of oceanic basalts and sequences from continents AND the unusually thin layer of oceanic sediments and ages of contained fossils 
E) magnetic reversals contained in continental crusts that were at one time oceanic basalts

Question 5

Explain the mantle convection cell model and what it describes.

Accepted Answer

A convection cell is a heat system forme

Question 6

Which statement best explains why glacial deposits have given strong evidence of the existence of Gondwana?

Accepted Answer

A) A single continent in low latitudes would result in low latitude glaciation. 
B) Glacial striations have shown that all glaciers on each continent flowed to a central location. 
C) Fossil plants indicate a tropical climate in the northern continents. 
D) The existence of a single continent in high latitudes is more sensible than low latitude glaciation on several continents AND glacial striations have shown that all glaciers on each continent flowed from a central location. 
E) The existence of a single continent in high latitudes is more sensible than low latitude glaciation on several continents AND fossil plants indicate a tropical climate in the northern continents. 
A) A single continent in low latitudes would result in low latitude glaciation. 
B) Glacial striations have shown that all glaciers on each continent flowed to a central location. 
C) Fossil plants indicate a tropical climate in the northern continents. 
D) The existence of a single continent in high latitudes is more sensible than low latitude glaciation on several continents AND glacial striations have shown that all glaciers on each continent flowed from a central location. 
E) The existence of a single continent in high latitudes is more sensible than low latitude glaciation on several continents AND fossil plants indicate a tropical climate in the northern continents.

Question 7

Geologists view many geologic processes from the perspective of plate tectonic theory in which plate interaction along plate margins is responsible for such phenomena as mountain building, earthquakes, and ___________________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Geologists view many geologic processes from the...

Question 8

Mantle plumes and hot spots help geologists ____.

Accepted Answer

A) explain some of the geologic activity occurring at or near plate boundaries 
B) determine both direction and rate of plate movement 
C) predict the formation of new continents 
D) determine the nearest divergent plate boundary 
E) understand the fossil distribution found in igneous rocks 
A) explain some of the geologic activity occurring at or near plate boundaries 
B) determine both direction and rate of plate movement 
C) predict the formation of new continents 
D) determine the nearest divergent plate boundary 
E) understand the fossil distribution found in igneous rocks

Question 9

The study of paleomagnetism is possible because ____.

Accepted Answer

A) the magnetic minerals in rocks create Earth's magnetic field 
B) most rocks contain no magnetic minerals 
C) each continent has its own magnetic pole 
D) the magnetic minerals in a cooling lava point toward the north magnetic pole 
E) the Curie point of minerals changes constantly 
A) the magnetic minerals in rocks create Earth's magnetic field 
B) most rocks contain no magnetic minerals 
C) each continent has its own magnetic pole 
D) the magnetic minerals in a cooling lava point toward the north magnetic pole 
E) the Curie point of minerals changes constantly

Question 10

Edward Suess thought the similarity of fossil plants and animals in Gondwana was due to ____.

Accepted Answer

A) the appearance and disappearance of connecting land bridges on the southern continents 
B) the fact that Gondwana had always been one giant supercontinent 
C) the extremely slow rate of evolution that occurred during the late Paleozoic 
D) geographical barriers between Gondwana and Pangaea 
E) interbreeding among most related species 
A) the appearance and disappearance of connecting land bridges on the southern continents 
B) the fact that Gondwana had always been one giant supercontinent 
C) the extremely slow rate of evolution that occurred during the late Paleozoic 
D) geographical barriers between Gondwana and Pangaea 
E) interbreeding among most related species

Question 11

One of the best-known transform faults is the San Andreas Fault in California. This fault ____.

Accepted Answer

A) is completely oceanic 
B) creates new lithosphere 
C) destroys old lithosphere 
D) separates the Pacific plate from the North American plate 
E) has little impact on earthquake activity in California 
A) is completely oceanic 
B) creates new lithosphere 
C) destroys old lithosphere 
D) separates the Pacific plate from the North American plate 
E) has little impact on earthquake activity in California

Question 12

As far back as 1620, Sir Francis Bacon commented on the similarity of the shorelines of western Africa and eastern South America and posited that the Old and New Worlds might once have been joined.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Volcanoes are found at ____________________ plate boundaries and ____________________ plate boundaries.

Accepted Answer

divergent,

Question 14

The long, complex process of petroleum generation in the Persian Gulf began when the remains of marine organisms accumulated with bottom sediments and were buried.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

A continental margin ____.

Accepted Answer

A) is primarily above sea level 
B) is the transition zone from the exposed land to the ocean floor 
C) does not include the continental slope 
D) always transitions to an oceanic ridge 
E) are where submarine hydrothermal vents are found 
A) is primarily above sea level 
B) is the transition zone from the exposed land to the ocean floor 
C) does not include the continental slope 
D) always transitions to an oceanic ridge 
E) are where submarine hydrothermal vents are found

Question 16

Where do active continental margins develop?

Accepted Answer

Active continental margins dev

Question 17

Glacially deposited strata were important in the development of continental drift theory because ____.

Accepted Answer

A) the distribution of glacial deposits indicated that the entire Earth must have been glaciated at one time 
B) the distribution of coal-swamp deposits indicated that the entire Earth must have been very warm while glaciers formed 
C) they indicated that large glaciers affect the rate of continental drift 
D) the glacial deposits indicated that all of the southern continents must have been closer to the South Pole and contiguous 
E) they showed how glacier formation remained constant even when continents drifted 
A) the distribution of glacial deposits indicated that the entire Earth must have been glaciated at one time 
B) the distribution of coal-swamp deposits indicated that the entire Earth must have been very warm while glaciers formed 
C) they indicated that large glaciers affect the rate of continental drift 
D) the glacial deposits indicated that all of the southern continents must have been closer to the South Pole and contiguous 
E) they showed how glacier formation remained constant even when continents drifted

Question 18

What statement most accurately describes the theory of seafloor spreading?

Accepted Answer

A) Subduction zones produce oceanic crust that moves away from these zones by seafloor spreading toward mid-oceanic ridges where it is consumed. 
B) Oceanic crust continuously forms across the seafloor and is moved by subduction zones toward mid-oceanic ridges where it is consumed. 
C) Oceanic crust continuously forms at mid-oceanic ridges, moves away from these ridges by seafloor spreading, and is consumed at subduction zones. 
D) Earth's molten core material erupts at mid-oceanic ridges, moves away from these ridges by seafloor spreading, and is consumed at subduction zones. 
E) Subduction zones force oceanic crust to spread across the seafloor before being consumed at a fault valley. 
A) Subduction zones produce oceanic crust that moves away from these zones by seafloor spreading toward mid-oceanic ridges where it is consumed. 
B) Oceanic crust continuously forms across the seafloor and is moved by subduction zones toward mid-oceanic ridges where it is consumed. 
C) Oceanic crust continuously forms at mid-oceanic ridges, moves away from these ridges by seafloor spreading, and is consumed at subduction zones. 
D) Earth's molten core material erupts at mid-oceanic ridges, moves away from these ridges by seafloor spreading, and is consumed at subduction zones. 
E) Subduction zones force oceanic crust to spread across the seafloor before being consumed at a fault valley.

Question 19

How does plate tectonics theory relate to world economics?

Accepted Answer

By understanding the geologic history of

Question 20

Wegener's critics pointed out to him that the configuration of coastlines results from erosional and depositional processes and therefore is continuously being modified. What idea were they arguing against ?

Accepted Answer

A) continental movement due to erosion and deposition rather than plate tectonics 
B) continental fit between South America and Africa 
C) land bridges continually appearing and disappearing 
D) ocean currents having minimal effect on large landmasses 
E) using coastline geology for predicting movements of continents 
A) continental movement due to erosion and deposition rather than plate tectonics 
B) continental fit between South America and Africa 
C) land bridges continually appearing and disappearing 
D) ocean currents having minimal effect on large landmasses 
E) using coastline geology for predicting movements of continents

Exam 2: Plate Tectonics: a Unifying Theory

What are the three major types of plate boundaries?

What is the driving mechanism for plate tectonics?

The Curie point is ____.

What evidence has shown conclusively that the oceanic crust is geologically young and that the parallel magnetic striping pattern of basalts is symmetrical with regard to oceanic ridges?

Explain the mantle convection cell model and what it describes.

Which statement best explains why glacial deposits have given strong evidence of the existence of Gondwana?

Geologists view many geologic processes from the perspective of plate tectonic theory in which plate interaction along plate margins is responsible for such phenomena as mountain building, earthquakes, and ___________________.

Mantle plumes and hot spots help geologists ____.

The study of paleomagnetism is possible because ____.

Edward Suess thought the similarity of fossil plants and animals in Gondwana was due to ____.

One of the best-known transform faults is the San Andreas Fault in California. This fault ____.

As far back as 1620, Sir Francis Bacon commented on the similarity of the shorelines of western Africa and eastern South America and posited that the Old and New Worlds might once have been joined.

Volcanoes are found at ____________________ plate boundaries and ____________________ plate boundaries.

The long, complex process of petroleum generation in the Persian Gulf began when the remains of marine organisms accumulated with bottom sediments and were buried.

A continental margin ____.

Where do active continental margins develop?

Glacially deposited strata were important in the development of continental drift theory because ____.

What statement most accurately describes the theory of seafloor spreading?

How does plate tectonics theory relate to world economics?

Wegener's critics pointed out to him that the configuration of coastlines results from erosional and depositional processes and therefore is continuously being modified. What idea were they arguing against ?

Understanding Earth: a Dynamic and Evolving Planet

Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks

Igneous Rocks and Plutons

Volcanoes and Volcanism

Weathering, Erosion, and Soil

Sediment and Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Earthquakes and Earthapos;s Interior

Deformation, Mountain Building, and Earthapos;s Crust

Mass Wasting

Running Water--Streams and Rivers

Groundwater

Glaciers and Glaciation

The Work of Wind and Deserts

Oceans, Shorelines, and Shoreline Processes

Geologic Time: Concepts and Principles

Organic Evolution--The Theory and Its Supporting Evidence

Precambrian Earth and Life History

Paleozoic Earth History

Paleozoic Life History

Mesozoic Earth and Life History

Cenozoic Earth and Life History

Filters

Volcanoes are found at plate boundaries and plate boundaries.