Plate Tectonics Benchmark Review Study guide for the exam.

Plate Tectonics Benchmark ReviewStudy guide for the exam

Plate Tectonics How have

Geologists learned about the interior of the Earth?

Since they can’t dig down into the core due to its heat and pressure, they have learned by studying seismic waves and rock samples.

Plate Tectonics What are the

layers of Earth’s interior?

Make sure to know the order of these layers.

Outer – crust Under the crust –

mantle The inner two

parts – outer core and inner core

Plate Tectonics Heat transfer from one

object to another by touch, or within an object is called ________

The transfer of heat through open space is called _____________

Conduction

Radiation

Plate Tectonics The transfer of

heat within a fluid, either gas or liquid is called __________

The movement of fluids in the mantle are an example of _________ ________

Convection

Convection currents

Plate Tectonics What types of

evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his theory of plate tectonics?

Evidence from land features

Evidence from fossils Evidence from

ancient climate zones

Plate Tectonics Why did other

Scientists reject Wegener’s ideas?

They didn’t like him. He wore silly hats. He couldn’t give an

explanation for the force that pushes or pulls the plates (sea-floor spreading).

They were mean.

Plate Tectonics What is the theory

of plate tectonics? Pieces of Earth’s

lithosphere are in slow, constant motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.

Plate Tectonics What are the

three types of plate boundaries?

What type of boundary created the San Andreas Fault?

Colliding, spreading, and sliding

Sliding

Plate Tectonics Name the three

types of stress that act on Earth’s crust.

What directions do they move?

Shearing, tension and compression.

Shearing – across Tension – apart Compression -

together

Plate Tectonics When two

continental plates collide they can create what land feature from pushing into each other?

Give an example of this type of mountain range.

A mountain range

The Himalayas

Plate Tectonics When earthquakes

strike they produce seismic waves. What direction do the seismic waves move?

They move away from the focus in all directions.

Plate Tectonics Where do most

faults occur?

Cities China Plate boundaries Europe None of the above

Plate Tectonics What are the three

scales used to measure seismic waves?

Which one measure damage levels?

Which one assigns a magnitude to seismic waves

Mercalli, Richter, and Moment Magnitude scales

Mercalli scale

Both the Moment Magnitude and Richter scales

Plate Tectonics What is the

name of the world’s major volcanic belt that circles the Pacific Ocean?

The Ring of Fire

Plate Tectonics Why are there

often earthquakes along the Pacific coast of North America?

The Pacific plate and the North American plate meet on the Pacific coast.

Plate Tectonics How did the

Hawaiian Islands form?

They formed, and are still forming, over a hot spot in the middle of the Pacific plate.

Plate Tectonics What causes

magma to erupt to the surface of Earth?

Although silica affects the type of magma, it is the dissolved gases that create the force that causes eruptions.

Plate Tectonics What are the

three stages in a volcano’s life? Describe them.

Active – currently erupting or may erupt at any time

Dormant – not currently erupting but may erupt again in the distant future

Extinct – will never erupt again

Plate Tectonics What are the

names of landforms created by magma?

What are the names of landforms created by lava and ash?

Batholiths, sills, dikes and volcanic necks

Lava plateaus, calderas, soils, composite, cinder cone, shield volcanoes

Plate Tectonics Remember to

study your notes and this PowerPoint to prepare for the test!