Question 1

Approximately ________ major lithospheric plates exist today.

Accepted Answer

A) 11 
B) 2 
C) 7 
D) 4 
A) 11 
B) 2 
C) 7 
D) 4

Question 2

What is the most likely explanation for why there are no islands, only deep seamounts and guyots NW of Kauai towards Midway?

Accepted Answer

A) The seafloor farther from the current hot spot has aged and cooled off, so the volcanoes eroded and sank below sea level. 
B) The hot spot was less vigorous from 27 to 65 million years than subsequently. 
C) The Pacific plate moved much faster during the period in question and there wasn't time to build tall volcanoes over the Hawaiian hot spot. 
D) The intervening seafloor is thinner so it sat higher and eroded off all the volcanoes. 
A) The seafloor farther from the current hot spot has aged and cooled off, so the volcanoes eroded and sank below sea level. 
B) The hot spot was less vigorous from 27 to 65 million years than subsequently. 
C) The Pacific plate moved much faster during the period in question and there wasn't time to build tall volcanoes over the Hawaiian hot spot. 
D) The intervening seafloor is thinner so it sat higher and eroded off all the volcanoes.

Question 3

The magnetic orientation and age of different regions of the seafloor is inferred from the total field intensity using towed magnetometers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

________ plate boundaries have the largest magnitude earthquakes.

Accepted Answer

A) Divergent and transform 
B) Transform and convergent 
C) Divergent and convergent 
D) All plate boundaries have large magnitude earthquakes. 
A) Divergent and transform 
B) Transform and convergent 
C) Divergent and convergent 
D) All plate boundaries have large magnitude earthquakes.

Question 5

The outermost surface expression of a subduction zone is the accretionary wedge, a mountain fold belt built up above sea level by the underthrust ocean crust.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The modern-day Red Sea is explained by plate tectonics theory because it is ________.

Accepted Answer

A) a tiny remnant of a once immense ocean that was closed as Africa moved into Asia 
B) the site of a transform fault along which Arabia is moving away from Africa 
C) a rift zone that may eventually open into a major ocean if Arabia and Africa continue to separate 
D) a rare example of a two continent subduction zone where both the African and Arabian continental plates are both sinking under the Red Sea plate 
A) a tiny remnant of a once immense ocean that was closed as Africa moved into Asia 
B) the site of a transform fault along which Arabia is moving away from Africa 
C) a rift zone that may eventually open into a major ocean if Arabia and Africa continue to separate 
D) a rare example of a two continent subduction zone where both the African and Arabian continental plates are both sinking under the Red Sea plate

Question 7

A curved line of volcanic islands spaced about 80 kilometres apart along the edge of one plate where two oceanic plates meet is called a(n)________.

Accepted Answer

A) hot spot track 
B) oceanic volcanic rift zone 
C) volcanic island arc 
D) subsided and failed continental rift 
A) hot spot track 
B) oceanic volcanic rift zone 
C) volcanic island arc 
D) subsided and failed continental rift

Question 8

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase.
-________ characterized by basaltic volcanism and seafloor spreading

Accepted Answer

A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen 
A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen

Question 9

Although Alfred Wegener presented compelling evidence for his continental drift hypothesis (despite lacking a mechanism), why was the true nature of plate boundaries not determined until the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Only then was the technology available t

Question 10

What do the Appalachians have in common tectonically with the Himalayas?

Accepted Answer

A) They are both active, convergent, continental-margin arc systems. 
B) They both formed by continental rifting. 
C) They both formed by continent-continent collision. 
D) They are both unusual places where ocean crust overrode the continent. 
A) They are both active, convergent, continental-margin arc systems. 
B) They both formed by continental rifting. 
C) They both formed by continent-continent collision. 
D) They are both unusual places where ocean crust overrode the continent.

Question 11

Pull-apart, rift zones are generally associated with a ________ plate boundary.

Accepted Answer

A) divergent 
B) transform 
C) convergent 
D) subduction 
A) divergent 
B) transform 
C) convergent 
D) subduction

Question 12

Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa both form from waters that occupy the downdropped rift valley of the East African Rift.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase.
-________ this boundary is normally devoid of volcanism

Accepted Answer

A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen 
A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen

Question 14

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase.
-________ the San Andreas fault

Accepted Answer

A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen 
A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen

Question 15

The Cascadia subduction zone and arc is formed as oceanic lithosphere is subducted beneath western North America.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

What is the inclination of Earth's magnetic field as recorded in a recent lava flow on a volcano in northern Peru?

Accepted Answer

A) nearly horizontal and pointing north 
B) nearly vertical and pointing north 
C) nearly horizontal and pointing south 
D) nearly vertical and pointing south 
A) nearly horizontal and pointing north 
B) nearly vertical and pointing north 
C) nearly horizontal and pointing south 
D) nearly vertical and pointing south

Question 17

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase.
-________ plates are moving apart from one another

Accepted Answer

A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen 
A) convergent 
B) transform 
C) divergen

Question 18

Plates are moving apart from one another with a ________ plate boundary.

Accepted Answer

A) divergent 
B) transform 
C) convergent 
D) strike-slip 
A) divergent 
B) transform 
C) convergent 
D) strike-slip

Question 19

The volcanoes of Hawaii are localized above a deep mantle plume and hot spot; they are not part of the East Pacific Rise.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The oldest sediments on oceanic crust are found in deep ocean trenches far away from active, mid-ocean ridges.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Approximately ________ major lithospheric plates exist today.

What is the most likely explanation for why there are no islands, only deep seamounts and guyots NW of Kauai towards Midway?

The magnetic orientation and age of different regions of the seafloor is inferred from the total field intensity using towed magnetometers.

________ plate boundaries have the largest magnitude earthquakes.

The outermost surface expression of a subduction zone is the accretionary wedge, a mountain fold belt built up above sea level by the underthrust ocean crust.

The modern-day Red Sea is explained by plate tectonics theory because it is ________.

A curved line of volcanic islands spaced about 80 kilometres apart along the edge of one plate where two oceanic plates meet is called a(n)________.

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ characterized by basaltic volcanism and seafloor spreading

Although Alfred Wegener presented compelling evidence for his continental drift hypothesis (despite lacking a mechanism), why was the true nature of plate boundaries not determined until the 1960s?

What do the Appalachians have in common tectonically with the Himalayas?

Pull-apart, rift zones are generally associated with a ________ plate boundary.

Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa both form from waters that occupy the downdropped rift valley of the East African Rift.

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ this boundary is normally devoid of volcanism

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ the San Andreas fault

The Cascadia subduction zone and arc is formed as oceanic lithosphere is subducted beneath western North America.

What is the inclination of Earth's magnetic field as recorded in a recent lava flow on a volcano in northern Peru?

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ plates are moving apart from one another

Plates are moving apart from one another with a ________ plate boundary.

The volcanoes of Hawaii are localized above a deep mantle plume and hot spot; they are not part of the East Pacific Rise.

The oldest sediments on oceanic crust are found in deep ocean trenches far away from active, mid-ocean ridges.

An Introduction to Geology and Plate Tectonics

Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks

Igneous Rocks

Volcanoes and Volcanic Processes

Weathering and Soil

Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Geologic Time

Crustal Deformation

Earthquakes and Earth's Interior

The Ocean Floor

Mountain Building and Continental Frameworks

Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity

Running Water

Groundwater

Glaciers and Glaciation

Deserts and Winds

Shorelines

Mineral and Energy Resources

Filters

Exam 12: Plate Tectonics: The Framework for Modern Geology

Approximately ________ major lithospheric plates exist today.

What is the most likely explanation for why there are no islands, only deep seamounts and guyots NW of Kauai towards Midway?

The magnetic orientation and age of different regions of the seafloor is inferred from the total field intensity using towed magnetometers.

________ plate boundaries have the largest magnitude earthquakes.

The outermost surface expression of a subduction zone is the accretionary wedge, a mountain fold belt built up above sea level by the underthrust ocean crust.

The modern-day Red Sea is explained by plate tectonics theory because it is ________.

A curved line of volcanic islands spaced about 80 kilometres apart along the edge of one plate where two oceanic plates meet is called a(n)________.

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ characterized by basaltic volcanism and seafloor spreading

Although Alfred Wegener presented compelling evidence for his continental drift hypothesis (despite lacking a mechanism), why was the true nature of plate boundaries not determined until the 1960s?

What do the Appalachians have in common tectonically with the Himalayas?

Pull-apart, rift zones are generally associated with a ________ plate boundary.

Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa both form from waters that occupy the downdropped rift valley of the East African Rift.

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ this boundary is normally devoid of volcanism

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ the San Andreas fault

The Cascadia subduction zone and arc is formed as oceanic lithosphere is subducted beneath western North America.

What is the inclination of Earth's magnetic field as recorded in a recent lava flow on a volcano in northern Peru?

Match the plate boundary with the appropriate phrase. -________ plates are moving apart from one another

Plates are moving apart from one another with a ________ plate boundary.

The volcanoes of Hawaii are localized above a deep mantle plume and hot spot; they are not part of the East Pacific Rise.

The oldest sediments on oceanic crust are found in deep ocean trenches far away from active, mid-ocean ridges.

An Introduction to Geology and Plate Tectonics

Minerals: The Building Blocks of Rocks

Igneous Rocks

Volcanoes and Volcanic Processes

Weathering and Soil

Sedimentary Rocks

Metamorphism and Metamorphic Rocks

Geologic Time

Crustal Deformation

Earthquakes and Earth's Interior

The Ocean Floor

Mountain Building and Continental Frameworks

Mass Wasting: The Work of Gravity

Running Water

Groundwater

Glaciers and Glaciation

Deserts and Winds

Shorelines

Mineral and Energy Resources

Filters