Hazardous Earth: Plate Tectonics

What is the theory that explains how the Earth's lithosphere is divided into large, rigid plates that move relative to each other?

• Continental Drift

• Earth's Separation

• Global Division

• Plate Tectonics

Which layer of the Earth is broken into tectonic plates?

• crust

• mantle

• lithosphere

• outer core

What is the process called when two tectonic plates move towards each other and collide?

• Convergent boundary

• Subduction zone

• Divergent boundary

• Transform boundary

Fill in the blank: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake is called the _________.

• seismic point

• centerpoint

• epicenter

• quake center

Which type of plate boundary is associated with the formation of mountain ranges?

• Transform plate boundary

• Convergent plate boundary

• Subduction zone

• Divergent plate boundary

What is the term for the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere?

• earthshake

• tremor

• groundquake

• earthquake

True or False: The movement of tectonic plates is driven by convection currents in the Earth's mantle.

• False

• True

• Maybe

• Partially true

What is the name of the boundary where two tectonic plates move apart from each other?

• Convergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Subduction boundary

• Divergent boundary

Which famous fault line in California is a transform boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate?

• San Andreas Fault

• New Madrid Fault

• Garlock Fault

• Hayward Fault

What is the term for a large ocean wave caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions?

• tsunami

• ocean quake

• seismic surge

• tidal wave