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Tectonics
Contributed by: Skelton
  • 1. Tectonics is the scientific study of the processes involving the formation and movement of the Earth's lithosphere, including the continents and ocean basins. These processes can involve the movement of tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain-building. Tectonics plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface and is fundamental to understanding the geology of our planet and the distribution of natural resources.

    Which layer of the Earth includes both the crust and the upper part of the mantle?
A) Outer Core
B) Mantle
C) Lithosphere
D) Asthenosphere
  • 2. Which famous fault marks the boundary between the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate?
A) San Andreas Fault
B) Mid-Atlantic Ridge
C) Himalayan Fault
D) Alpine Fault
  • 3. What is the ring of volcanoes and seismic activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean known as?
A) Volcanic Loop
B) Seismic Circle
C) Ring of Fire
D) Molten Belt
  • 4. Which tectonic plate is the largest and includes both oceanic and continental lithosphere?
A) Antarctic Plate
B) South American Plate
C) African Plate
D) Pacific Plate
  • 5. What is the term for a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves?
A) Volcano
B) Landslide
C) Tsunami
D) Earthquake
  • 6. Which type of fault occurs when two tectonic plates move horizontally past each other?
A) Strike-slip Fault
B) Normal Fault
C) Reverse Fault
D) Thrust Fault
  • 7. What is the process by which mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide and the crust is pushed upward?
A) Orogeny
B) Sedimentation
C) Deposition
D) Erosion
  • 8. Approximately how many major tectonic plates make up the Earth's lithosphere?
A) 3
B) 10
C) 5
D) 7
  • 9. What is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluid or gas?
A) Conduction
B) Evaporation
C) Radiation
D) Convection
  • 10. The Pacific Ring of Fire is known for its frequent ___ activity.
A) Hurricane
B) Volcanic
C) Earthquake
D) Tsunami
  • 11. The movement of tectonic plates is driven by ___.
A) Ocean currents
B) Solar radiation
C) Mantle convection
D) Wind currents
  • 12. What is the term for a deep crack in the Earth's surface along which movement has occurred?
A) Crevasse
B) Vent
C) Fault
D) Canyon
  • 13. Which tectonic plate boundary is known for its lack of volcanic activity and mountain formation?
A) Divergent boundary
B) Collision boundary
C) Convergent boundary
D) Transform boundary
  • 14. What is the term for the bending of rock layers due to stress in the Earth's crust?
A) Faulting
B) Sedimentation
C) Erosion
D) Folding
  • 15. Who proposed the theory of continental drift in the early 20th century?
A) Alfred Wegener
B) Isaac Newton
C) Charles Darwin
D) James Hutton
  • 16. Which layer of the Earth is made up of mostly solid rock that can flow over geologic timescales?
A) Atmosphere
B) Crust
C) Core
D) Mantle
  • 17. The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake is called the ___.
A) Crater
B) Epicenter
C) Core
D) Hypocenter
  • 18. What type of boundary forms when tectonic plates move apart from each other?
A) Transform boundary
B) Divergent boundary
C) Rift boundary
D) Convergent boundary
  • 19. Which type of boundary forms when two tectonic plates move towards each other?
A) Collision boundary
B) Transform boundary
C) Divergent boundary
D) Convergent boundary
  • 20. What causes earthquakes at transform plate boundaries?
A) Convergent collision of plates
B) Friction as plates slide past each other
C) Divergent motion separating plates
D) Subduction of one plate beneath another
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