Understanding Plate Tectonics

The solid outer shell of the Earth, known as the lithosphere, is composed of which two layers?

• Crust and asthenosphere

• Crust and rigid mantle

• Asthenosphere and rigid mantle

• Only the crust

What is the primary mechanism responsible for the movement of Earth's tectonic plates?

• Magnetic forces within the Earth's core

• Gravitational pull from the Moon

• Convection currents in the asthenosphere

• The Earth's rotation

Which type of plate boundary is characterized by plates sliding horizontally past each other, often resulting in earthquakes but typically lacking volcanoes or major mountain ranges?

• Convergent boundary

• Divergent boundary

• Transform boundary

• Subduction zone

What is a common outcome when an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate at a convergent boundary?

• Both plates slide past each other horizontally.

• The oceanic plate is forced to slide beneath the continental plate.

• Both plates pull apart, creating a rift valley.

• Both plates crumple upwards to form a large mountain range.

What geological features are typically found at an oceanic-continental subduction zone?

• Mid-ocean ridges and transform faults

• Deep ocean trenches and chains of volcanic mountains

• Rift valleys and shield volcanoes

• Island arcs and hot spots

How do volcanic islands form in an island arc setting?

• Magma rising from a hot spot in the middle of an oceanic plate.

• Two continental plates colliding, causing uplift and volcanism.

• Melting of a subducting oceanic plate, leading to rising magma that erupts.

• Plates pulling apart at a mid-ocean ridge, creating new crust.

Which statement accurately describes the age of oceanic crust at a mid-ocean ridge?

• The oldest rock is found directly at the ridge.

• The rock age is uniform across the entire ridge.

• The youngest rock is found directly at the ridge, and it gets older further away.

• Rock age is unpredictable and varies randomly.

What is the primary mechanism responsible for the formation of a chain of volcanic islands at a hot spot?

• The collision of two oceanic plates, causing one to subduct.

• Magma rising from a stationary plume in the mantle while the overlying plate moves.

• The pulling apart of continental crust, creating a rift valley.

• Transform fault activity causing lateral movement and volcanism.