The Mighty Tectonic Plates Quiz
What is the name of the layer of the Earth that contains the tectonic plates?
- The lithosphere is the outermost layer of the Earth and is composed of both the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is also where the tectonic plates are located.
Which type of tectonic plate boundary occurs when two plates move away from each other?
- A divergent boundary occurs when two plates move away from each other. This type of boundary can create features such as mid-ocean ridges.
What landform is created when two continental plates collide and push upwards?
- When two continental plates collide, they can push upwards and create mountain ranges. The Himalayas are an example of this type of landform.
What type of tectonic plate boundary occurs when two plates move towards each other and collide?
- A convergent boundary occurs when two plates move towards each other and collide. This can create features such as mountains, volcanoes, and ocean trenches.
What is the name of the process where a denser oceanic plate sinks beneath a less dense continental plate?
- Subduction is the process where a denser oceanic plate sinks beneath a less dense continental plate. This process can create features such as volcanic arcs and ocean trenches.
What is the name of the supercontinent that existed over 200 million years ago?
- Pangaea was a supercontinent that existed over 200 million years ago. It was made up of all of the Earth's continents before they began to separate and move apart.
What is the name of the boundary where the Pacific Plate meets the North American Plate?
- The boundary where the Pacific Plate meets the North American Plate is known as the San Andreas Fault.
What type of volcano is formed when a large amount of ash and volcanic debris accumulate around a vent?
- A cinder cone volcano is formed when a large amount of ash and volcanic debris accumulate around a vent. These volcanoes are typically small and have steep sides.
What is the name of the boundary where the African Plate meets the Eurasian Plate?
- The boundary where the African Plate meets the Eurasian Plate is known as the Alpine Fault.
What is the name of the boundary where the South American Plate meets the Nazca Plate?
- The boundary where the South American Plate meets the Nazca Plate is known as the Peru-Chile Trench.