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Plate Tectonics Test
Contributed by: Welser
  • 1. Which of the following definitions best describes a plateau?
A) an area of raised, flat land
B) an area of flat land with few trees
C) a deep crack created by water erosion
D) a low area of land between mountains
  • 2. Earth’s core is...
A) the outermost layer of Earth.
B) the second layer of Earth.
C) the innermost layer of the Earth.
  • 3. Where are Earth’s tectonic plates located?
A) They float between the crust and the upper mantle.
B) They float just below the crust.
C) They float on top of the inner core.
D) They float on the inner mantle.
  • 4. What force moves Earth’s tectonic plates?
A) conduction in the mantle
B) convection in the mantle
  • 5. Most of Earth’s mass is in the
A) mantle.
B) crust.
C) core.
  • 6. What makes up the lithosphere?
A) Earth’s crust and mantle
B) Earth’s crust and the solid part of the mantle
C) Earth’s crust, mantle, and core
  • 7. According to the theory of plate tectonics, what may form where plates move together?
A) mountains
B) volcanoes
C) valleys
  • 8. Choose the amount that best completes the sentence. The North American Plate and Eurasian Plate move away from each other about ______________ each year.
A) 2 centimeters
B) 0.2 centimeters
C) 10 kilometers
  • 9. Why do most major earthquakes in the United States occur in California and Alaska?
A) These states have more convection currents than other states.
B) These states are closer to the Pacific Ocean than other states.
C) These states are located on a plate boundary.
D) These states have buried sand deposits that make the ground weak.
  • 10. Where are most volcanoes located?
A) in Hawaii
B) on the ocean floor
C) around California
D) in areas of frozen land
  • 11. What do seismographs detect?
A) changing convection currents
B) potential energy between plates
C) a volcano ready to erupt
D) ground movement as it occurs
  • 12. What is seafloor spreading?
A) Something that occurs at volcanoes.
B) Something that occurs on glaciers.
C) Something that occurs at ocean ridges.
D) Something that occurs near mountains.
  • 13. What is the source of heat that powers the convection currents?
A) Earth’s hot core and inner mantle.
B) The sun.
C) Evaporation from the ocean.
  • 14. Which of the following is NOT an example of a landform?
A) Mall
B) Valley
C) Mountain
D) Plateau
  • 15. True or false. A valley is found at the bottom of the ocean.
A) False
B) True
  • 16. True or false. A trench is found at the bottom of the ocean.
A) True
B) False
  • 17. Why can't you see much of the land that makes up Earth's plates?
A) It is invisible.
B) It is under the oceans.
C) It is in the sky.
  • 18. How many years will it take for North America and Europe to move 500cm farther apart? (Hint: Plates move 2cm each year)
A) 250 years
B) 200 years
C) 100 years
D) 500 years
  • 19. Which plate movement causes valleys to form?
A) Plates crashing into each other
B) Plates moving together
C) Plates moving apart
  • 20. True or false. Michigan is located on a plate boundary so that explains why there are always earthquakes in Michigan.
A) False
B) True
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