Plate Tectonics Quiz

What was the first observation that led scientists to develop the theory of plate tectonics?

• The development of radiometric dating

• The observation of South America and Africa fitting together

• The mapping of geologic features

• The discovery of fossils and glacial deposits

Which evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his hypothesis of continental drift?

How did new technologies in the 1950s and 1960s contribute to the development of the theory of plate tectonics? ( Choose all that apply)

• They allowed scientists to date the age of Earth's crust

• They allowed scientists to map and measure the seafloor

• They provided evidence of magnetic polarity on the ocean floor

• They helped scientists understand the process of radioactive decay

Where is new crust being created? What evidence can be used to support this claim?

• At subduction zones; evidence of glacial deposits

• At mid-ocean ridges; evidence of magnetic polarity reversal

• At convergent plate boundaries; evidence of rock layer matches

• At transform plate boundaries; evidence of fossil similarities

What is the difference between relative dating and absolute dating?

• Relative dating determines the order of geological events, while absolute dating estimates the age of a sample using radioactive decay

• Relative dating estimates the age of a sample using radioactive decay, while absolute dating determines the order of geological events

• Relative dating uses radiometric techniques, while absolute dating uses principles of cross-cutting relationships

• Relative dating is used for organic matter, while absolute dating is used for rocks and fossils

What is radioactive decay?

• The process of measuring the numeric age of a sample

• The process of determining the relative order of geological events

• The spontaneous release of particles and energy from unstable isotopes

• The alignment of magnetic elements in rocks

Define half-life.

• The time it takes for half of the radioactive elements to undergo radioactive decay

• The time it takes for half of the parent atoms to decay into daughter atoms

• The time it takes for half of the rock layers to be deposited

• The time it takes for half of the original unstable isotope to change into a more stable isotope

What is the age of Earth estimated to be?

• 49 billion years

• 4 billion years

• 2.5 billion years

• 4.5 billion years

Where can we find the youngest crust? Where can we find the oldest crust?

• Youngest crust is found at transform plate boundaries; oldest crust is found at convergent plate boundaries

• Youngest crust is found at subduction zones; oldest crust is found at mid-ocean ridges

• Youngest crust is found at mid-ocean ridges; oldest crust is found near continents

• Youngest crust is found at divergent plate boundaries; oldest crust is found at transform plate boundaries

How does the theory of sea floor spreading support the data found on the ages of oceanic and continental rock? (Choose all that apply)

• It shows the alignment of magnetic elements in rocks

• It demonstrates the process of radioactive decay and half-life

• It provides evidence of glacial deposits and fossil similarities

• It explains the formation of mid-ocean ridges and the creation of new crust