Question

date ____ per
plate tectonics and earths dynamic processes assessment

1. what is the primary driving force behind plate tectonics?

a. solar radiation
b. earths rotation
c. convection currents in the mantle
d. gravitational pull from the moon

1. which of the following features is not typically associated with convergent plate boundaries?

a. deep ocean trenches
b. volcanic mountain ranges
c. mid - ocean ridges
d. subduction zones

1. at a divergent plate boundary, what process occurs as the plates move away from each other?

a. subduction
b. sea floor spreading
c. mountain building
d. transform faulting

1. the san andreas fault in california is an example of which type of plate boundary?

a. convergent boundary
b. divergent boundary
c. transform boundary
d. subduction zone

1. which of the following provides the strongest evidence for sea floor spreading?

a. magnetic striping patterns on the ocean floor
b. the presence of deep - sea hydrothermal vents
c. earthquake epicenter distribution
d. volcanic island chains

1. when an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, what typically happens?

a. both plates rise to form mountain ranges
b. the oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate
c. the continental plate subducts beneath the oceanic plate
d. the plates slide past each other horizontally

1. which of the following is not evidence used to support the theory of plate tectonics?

a. fossil distribution across continents
b. the alignment of lunar craters with earths plate boundaries
c. matching geological features on separate continents
d. the age pattern of rocks on the ocean floor

Explanation:

1. Mantle convection currents drive plate movement.
2. Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent boundaries, not convergent.
3. Divergent boundaries cause sea floor spreading.
4. San Andreas Fault is a transform boundary (plates slide past).
5. Magnetic striping directly records sea floor spreading.
6. Denser oceanic plate subducts under continental plate.
7. Lunar craters have no link to Earth's plate tectonics.

Answer:

1. C. Convection currents in the mantle
2. C. Mid-ocean ridges
3. B. Sea floor spreading
4. C. Transform boundary
5. A. Magnetic striping patterns on the ocean floor
6. B. The oceanic plate subducts beneath the continental plate
7. B. The alignment of lunar craters with Earth's plate boundaries