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Plate Tectonics Test
Contributed by: Welser
  • 1. Which of the following definitions best describes a plateau?
A) a low area of land between mountains
B) an area of raised, flat land
C) a deep crack created by water erosion
D) an area of flat land with few trees
  • 2. Earth’s core is...
A) the outermost layer of Earth.
B) the innermost layer of the Earth.
C) the second layer of Earth.
  • 3. Where are Earth’s tectonic plates located?
A) They float between the crust and the upper mantle.
B) They float on the inner mantle.
C) They float on top of the inner core.
D) They float just below the crust.
  • 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) crust.
B) core.
C) mantle.
  • 6. What makes up the lithosphere?
A) Earth’s crust, mantle, and core
B) Earth’s crust and the solid part of the mantle
C) Earth’s crust and mantle
  • 7. According to the theory of plate tectonics, what may form where plates move together?
A) volcanoes
B) valleys
C) mountains
  • 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) 10 kilometers
B) 2 centimeters
C) 0.2 centimeters
  • 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 located on a plate boundary.
C) These states are closer to the Pacific Ocean than other states.
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) in areas of frozen land
D) around California
  • 11. What do seismographs detect?
A) a volcano ready to erupt
B) potential energy between plates
C) changing convection currents
D) ground movement as it occurs
  • 12. What is seafloor spreading?
A) Something that occurs at ocean ridges.
B) Something that occurs on glaciers.
C) Something that occurs at volcanoes.
D) Something that occurs near mountains.
  • 13. What is the source of heat that powers the convection currents?
A) Evaporation from the ocean.
B) Earth’s hot core and inner mantle.
C) The sun.
  • 14. Which of the following is NOT an example of a landform?
A) Mall
B) Mountain
C) Plateau
D) Valley
  • 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) False
B) True
  • 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) 100 years
C) 500 years
D) 200 years
  • 19. Which plate movement causes valleys to form?
A) Plates moving together
B) Plates moving apart
C) Plates crashing into each other
  • 20. True or false. Michigan is located on a plate boundary so that explains why there are always earthquakes in Michigan.
A) True
B) False
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