Tectonic Plates Review

Tectonic Plate

• A large slab of Earth that makes up the Earth’s crust and upper mantle (Lithosphere)

• A small dust particle the size of 20 nanometers

• Plates that are microwavable

• Technical plates that actually do not exist

Answer explanation

The correct answer is a large slab of Earth that makes up the Earth’s crust and upper mantle (Lithosphere), which is the definition of a tectonic plate.

What causes the tectonic plates to move?

• convection of magma

• the earth's magnetic field

• the earth spinning

• earth's gravitational pull

Answer explanation

The tectonic plates move due to convection of magma underneath the Earth's surface.

When an oceanic plate and a continental plate converge, what forms?

• volcanic mountain range

• volcanic island arc

• Himalayan mountains

• Mid-Ocean Ridge

Answer explanation

When an oceanic plate and a continental plate converge, a volcanic mountain range forms due to subduction of the oceanic plate beneath the continental plate.

Which set of events is most common along tectonic plate boundaries?

• Earthquakes and volcanoes

• Erosion and earthquakes

• Tidal waves and volcanoes

• Hurricanes and tsunamis

Answer explanation

The most common events along tectonic plate boundaries are earthquakes and volcanoes.

A type of boundary line where two tectonic plates slide past each other in different directions

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

• Coagulant

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Transform' because a transform boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other in different directions.

Which geological feature is typically formed at a divergent boundary?

• Mountain range

• Deep ocean trench

• Mid-ocean ridge

• Volcanic island arc

What is the Continental Drift Theory?

• A theory that explains continents slowly moving apart and changing position relative to one another

• A theory that explains continents slowly moving closer to one another until they collide

• A theory that explains how continents cause tornadoes

• A theory that explains how to drift your car in the Walmart parking lot

Answer explanation

The Continental Drift Theory is a theory that explains continents slowly moving apart and changing position relative to one another.

When oceanic plate subducts, a ____ forms.

• ridge

• trench

• tidal wave

• mountain

Answer explanation

When oceanic plate subducts, a trench forms, not a ridge, tidal wave, or mountain. Trenches are deep depressions in the ocean floor where subduction occurs.

What is responsible for moving tectonic plates?

• conduction

• ocean floor spread

• the lithosphere

• convection

Answer explanation

Convection is responsible for moving tectonic plates by transferring heat within the Earth's mantle, causing the plates to move and interact with each other.

When two continental plates converge, what forms?

• mid-ocean ridge

• oceanic trench

• volcanic mountains

• mountain range

Answer explanation

When two continental plates converge, a mountain range forms as a result of the intense pressure and folding of the Earth's crust.