Question 1

Reconstructing all of the continents into a single supercontinent called Pangaea helps to explain better evidence of ancient glaciation on several continents, especially in terms of ice flow directions.

Accepted Answer

Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed about 300-200 million years ago, and its formation involved the convergence of all major land masses on the planet. This consolidation of land likely played a role in creating global climate changes that included ice ages and glaciation. The alignment of continents in Pangaea explains how evidence of ancient glaciation on multiple continents could be related, such as directional flow of glacial features and sediments that align with each other when the continents are placed back into a single landmass.

Question 2

Convergent plate boundaries generally represent a greater hazard to people than divergent or transform plate boundaries due to the threat of major earthquakes, explosive volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides (associated with the mountain chains).

Accepted Answer

Convergent plate boundaries involve the collision of two tectonic plates, which can lead to a variety of hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and landslides. In contrast, divergent plate boundaries involve the separation of two tectonic plates and transform plate boundaries involve the sliding of two tectonic plates past each other, which may still result in earthquakes but typically pose less of a hazard to people than convergent boundaries.

Question 3

Triple junctions are where three tectonic plates border each other.

Accepted Answer

This is correct as triple junctions occur where three tectonic plates meet or border each other, creating a point of intense geological activity.

Question 4

Reconstructing all of the continents into a single supercontinent called Pangaea helps to explain better the occurrence of the same fossil plants and animals on different continents.

Accepted Answer

When all continents were joined together as Pangaea, there were no barriers to prevent the migration of plants and animals, leading to their spread across different continents. As a result, similar or identical fossils can be found on different continents, which supports the theory of continental drift.

Question 5

During subduction, one plate sinks under another tectonic plate.

Accepted Answer

During subduction, one tectonic plate sinks beneath another plate.

Question 6

Explain the concept of convection. Describe how convection may work in the mantle of the earth.

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

The mantle is a layer of molten iron metal that surrounds the solid inner core.

Accepted Answer

The mantle is mostly composed of solid rock and is located between the crust and the core. The outer core is the layer of molten iron metal that surrounds the solid inner core.

Question 8

Earth's magnetic field is produced from large amounts of magnetic minerals buried within the lower part of the crust.

Accepted Answer

Earth's magnetic field is produced by the motion of molten iron in the Earth's outer core, not from magnetic minerals in the crust.

Question 9

Tectonic plates are actively separating at convergent plate boundaries and subduction zones.

Accepted Answer

Tectonic plates are actively colliding and crashing together at convergent plate boundaries and subduction zones.

Question 10

Earthquakes occur at all tectonic plate boundaries EXCEPT transform plate boundaries.

Accepted Answer

Earthquakes can occur at transform plate boundaries, which are where two plates slide past each other. These can cause earthquakes due to the friction and pressure between the plates.

Question 11

Give a description of the lithosphere, crust, asthenosphere, and mantle and explain the relationships between them.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Tectonic plates move completely continuously at speeds of several centimeters per year.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Explain how the seafloor is produced. Why does the Earth NOT get any bigger or smaller over geologic time?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

Pangaea refers to the enormous single ocean that was produced when all of the continents were assembled.

Accepted Answer

Pangaea refers to the supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, when all of the continents were connected. It is not related to a single ocean.

Question 15

The boundaries of tectonic plates are defined by the location of ocean coastlines.

Accepted Answer

The boundaries of tectonic plates are defined by the location of earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain ranges, not by the location of ocean coastlines.

Question 16

Over geologic time New York City is moving farther away from London, England due to movement associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Accepted Answer

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent boundary where new oceanic crust is created, causing the separation of the North American and Eurasian plates. This movement does cause New York City to move slowly away from London over millions of years.

Question 17

The Earth's core is thought to be hollow.

Accepted Answer

The Earth's core is not hollow. It is made up of solid and liquid layers of iron and nickel.

Question 18

The oldest ocean crust will tend to occur at the greatest distances from the mid-ocean ridge.

Accepted Answer

The oldest ocean crust is constantly being pushed away from the mid-ocean ridge as new crust forms, causing the older rock to become farther from the ridge. As a result, the greatest distances from the mid-ocean ridge tend to have the oldest ocean crust.

Question 19

Volcanism at transform plate boundaries is derived from melting of crustal rock.

Accepted Answer

Volcanism at transform plate boundaries is not derived from melting of crustal rock, but rather from the movement and separation of plates causing magma to rise and create volcanic activity.

Question 20

Slab pull seems to be a more important driving force for moving tectonic plates than ridge push.

Accepted Answer

Slab pull is the force that moves a tectonic plate downwards into the mantle, while ridge push is the force created by the upward movement of magma at mid-oceanic ridges that pushes the tectonic plates apart. While both forces contribute to plate movement, slab pull is generally considered to be the larger driving force.

Quiz 2: Internal Structure of the Earth and Plate Tectonics