Download Plate Tectonic, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes Test Review

Plate Tectonics Study Guide
1.
The layers of the Earth have been divided by their _composition_ and _physical properties.__.
2.
Layers based on composition:
a. Describe each layer:
i. __Crust____________- the thinnest layer. We live on it. Made up of two types:
continental (less dense/granite) and oceanic (more dense/ basalt). Lighter
minerals (silicates)
ii. ___Mantle_________- Magnesium and iron. Makes up most of Earth’s mass. We
have never drilled to it.
iii. _____Core__________- Made up mostly of iron. Very dense, inner core is solid.
Heavy minerals (Iron)
3.
Layers based on physical properties:
i. _____Lithosphere_____- Rigid and breakable. It is divided into tectonic plates.
ii. ____Asthenosphere___- Flows slowly so that the tectonic plates can move around on
top of it. Plate moves as quickly as your fingernails grow in a year. Putty
consistency.
iii. _____Mesosphere_____- Not quite solid, but not quite liquid. Strong layer. Chunks
of rock in it.
iv. _____Outer Core_____- Liquid iron
v. _____Inner Core______- Center of Earth, made of solid iron
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
What are the two types of crust? Which one is more dense?
Oceanic and Continental
Oceanic
Oceanic crust is most similar to _basalt__, and continental crust is most similar to _granite___.
What layer of the Earth is made up of tectonic plates? Which layer do they move on top of?
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Which layer means “Rock sphere”? “Weak sphere”? “Middle Sphere”?
Lithosphere
Asthenosphere
Mesosphere
We know that the __outer core_ layer is liquid because of _seismic____ waves that are produced
by _earthquakes___________.
9.
Who discovered the theory of continental drift? When did he do this? Alfred Wegener/ early
1900s
10.
What are the three observations that he discovered to support his theory?
- the continents fit well together (Africa and S. America)
- same fossil species found at opposite sides of Atlantic Ocean (mesosaurus and glossopteris)
-glacial grooves match up when continents are together
11.
12.
What is Pangaea? How long ago had it formed? All continents were together in a giant
supercontinent 245 million years ago.
What sea surrounded Pangaea (means “all sea”)? Panthalassa
13.
When Pangaea broke up, the north was called _Laurasia_ and the south was called _Gondwana_.
14.
How was Continental Drift Theory different from the Plate Tectonic Theory?
Continental Drift—only the continents are drifting/floating on top of the ocean floor. No
explanation of why or how it moves. Earliest theory.
Plate Tectonics Theory—Tectonic plates, including both continental and oceanic crusts, are
moving because of convection currents below the crust. New crust is made at mid-ocean
ridges and old crust is destroyed at subduction zones.
15.
What were the two discoveries that made scientists revise the Continental Drift Theory into the
Plate Tectonic Theory?
Sea Floor Spreading and Magnetic Reversal
16.
What type of plate boundary movement applies to sea-floor spreading? Divergent
17.
Which particular landform did scientists look at to prove this theory? (hint: Earth’s scar)
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
18.
What are mid-ocean ridges?
Underwater mountain ranges where new crust forms from divergent boundaries
19.
The (newest/ oldest) crust is farthest away from the mid-ocean ridges.
20.
What is magnetic reversal?
When the Earth’s magnetic poles change place. This creates different bands on the ocean
floor from the minerals aligning to the different changing poles.
21.
What are three causes for why the plates move? Describe them or draw pictures w/ labels.
a. _Convection_______ (main reason)
b. __Mid-Ocean Ridge Push________
Asthenosphere gets heated from the core
And then rises. As it gets farther from heat
Source, it will cool down and then sink. This
Causes a cycling motion to occur
Two plates moving in opposite
will cause other plates to get pushed.
c. __Subduction Pull______
As plate get pulled underneath the other one, it can get pulled down, causing it to bring
more material with it.
22.
The heat source for the convection is the __Earth’s Core___________.
23.
Warm materials (rise/ sink) and cooler materials (rise/ sink). This motion creates a __cycle___.
24.
How is plate movement measured each year (meters, centimeters, millimeters, kilometers)?
Plate Tectonics Study Guide II
The test on Thursday will comprise of two parts:
 Test (multiple choice, true/false)
 Drawings with labels
The first study guide will help you prepare for the first component.
On the test, you will be expected to draw some illustrations of the three types of plate boundaries. You will be
expected to label the main parts, and neatness will definitely count!!
Below, I’ve given you room to draw your pictures. Don’t forget your labels and also right the words from the
word bank below next to the boundary picture.
For each plate boundary, you must draw a diagram representing the plate motion. Draw arrows to
show the direction of motion. Also, you must write which words from the “word bank” below are
associated with that boundary.
Volcanoes
Trench
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
San Andreas Fault
Ridges
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Mountains
Mariana Trench
Himalayas
Subduction Zones
1. Divergent Boundary:
3. Convergent Boundary: ~Oceanic/Continental
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Mid-Ocean Ridges
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
New Crust
Volcanoes
Trench
Earthquakes
Tsunamis
Subduction Zones
Mariana Trench
Destroys crust
2. Transform Boundary:
4. Convergent Boundary:
~Continental/ Continental
Earthquakes
Tsunami
San Andreas Fault
Volcanoes
Earthquakes
Mountains
Himalayas