Plate Tectonics Quiz

The plate tectonics theory states that

• continental crust "plows through" oceanic crust

• oceanic crust "slides over" continental crust

• lithospheric plates move

• tectonic forces cause the most damage in the center of the plates

Tectonic plates interact at places called plate

• reversals

• boundaries

• regions

• centers

What current theory explains why the tectonic plates move?

• Mantle Convection

• Mantle Radiation

• Mantle Conduction

• Mantle Subduction

The theory of continental drift

• was based on the distribution of rock types, fossils and structures

• was accepted by most geologist during Wegener's lifetime

• was based on oceanic fossils and basalt

• suggested that the original land forms were large islands

Plates move at a rate of about 1-16 cm per

• century

• year

• month

• hour

The youngest supercontinent known is ____________, named by Alfred Wegener.

The theory of ______________ states that new ocean crust is formed at ocean ridges and destroyed at deep-sea trenches.

• seafloor spreading

• tectonic plates

• Pangaea

• continental drift

At what tectonic plate boundary do plates slide horizontally past each other?

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

• continental-continental boundary

• oceanic-oceanic boundary

Places where tectonic plates move apart are called

• convergent boundaries

• transform boundaries

• subduction zones

• divergent boundaries

Subduction is

• where denser plates sink into the mantle.

• where ridge valleys form.

• occurring mostly in the Atlantic Ocean.

• occurring where continental plates diverge.