Tectonic Plates

Which layer of the Earth is beneath the lithosphere and is partially molten?

• a) Lithosphere

• b) Asthenosphere

• c) Plate boundary

• d) Tectonic plate

When two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, it is called a _______ boundary.

• a) Convergent

• b) Divergent

• c) Transform

• d) Plate boundary

What are the large, rigid pieces of Earth's lithosphere called?

• a) Lithosphere

• b) Asthenosphere

• c) Plate boundary

• d) Tectonic plate

Which term refers to the boundaries where tectonic plates interact?

• a) Lithosphere

• b) Asthenosphere

• c) Plate boundary

• d) Tectonic plate

Which type of boundary is associated with the formation of mountains?

• a) Convergent

• b) Divergent

• c) Transform

• d) Plate boundary

The San Andreas Fault in California is an example of a _______ boundary.

• a) Convergent

• b) Divergent

• c) Transform

• d) Plate boundary

Answer explanation

The San Andreas Fault forms due to the lateral or horizontal movement between these two plates. The Pacific Plate is moving in a northwest direction relative to the North American Plate, which is moving in a more southwest direction. As the plates slide past each other horizontally, they create shear stress along the fault line, leading to the formation of the San Andreas Fault.

When two tectonic plates move apart, it is called a _______ boundary.

• a) Convergent

• b) Divergent

• c) Transform

• d) Plate boundary

The rigid outer layer of the Earth is known as the:

• a) Lithosphere

• b) Asthenosphere

• c) Plate boundary

• d) Tectonic plate

The Himalayas were formed as a result of a _______ boundary.

• a) Convergent

• b) Divergent

• c) Transform

• d) Plate boundary

When two tectonic plates collide, it is called a _______ boundary.

• a) Convergent

• b) Divergent

• c) Transform

• d) Plate boundary