Tectonic Plates and Earthquakes

Which of the following refers to the solid, outer part of the Earth which includes the upper portion of the mantle and the crust?

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

• Atmosphere

The tectonic plates lie above a partially molten layer of rock called ________.

• Lithosphere

• Asthenosphere

• Mesosphere

• Atmosphere

Who proposed the Plate Tectonics Theory?

• Alfred Wegener

• Harry Hess

• Charles Darwin

• Gregor Mendel

Wegener suggested that 200 million years ago, the continents were once part of a huge landmass he called ________.

• Gondwana

• Pangaea

• Laurasia

• Panthalassa

Which of the following is the reason why plate tectonics move on the surface?

• due to the heat coming from the sun

• due to the earth's gravity

• because of the earth's rotation

• convection currents in the asthenosphere

Which of the following DOES NOT describe a continental lithosphere?

• thick, found under land masses

• made of older rocks

• denser

• made of granite

Which of the following DOES NOT describe the oceanic lithosphere?

• thinner

• younger than continental crust

• denser

• made of granite

If a continental crust collides with the oceanic crust, which of the following will NOT likely happen?

• Volcanoes may form.

• Trenches will form on the subduction zones.

• The continental lithosphere will be subducted by the oceanic lithosphere

• The oceanic lithosphere will be subducted by the continental lithosphere

When the continental and oceanic lithosphere collides, the oceanic lithosphere is subducted by the continental lithosphere. Why is this so?

• Because the continental lithosphere is thinner and denser.

• Because the oceanic lithosphere is thinner and denser.

• Because the continental lithosphere is thicker and denser.

• Because the oceanic lithosphere is thicker and denser.

Which of the following is NOT a basis for the division of plates?

• Distribution of earthquakes

• Distribution of mountain ranges

• Distribution of volcanoes

• Distribution of fossils