Plate Tectonics
Alfred Wegener proposed the idea of continental drift to explain whhich current theory?
All continents were once part of the same landmass
What happens as a tectonic plate moves over a hot spot?
A chain of volcanoes form
Fractures in rock where sections of rock might suddenly move to create an earthquake
The placement of Earth's mantle by the overlying crust is a condition of equilibrium known as _______________?
Isostsy
Evidence used to support the theory that Earth's continents were once connected
Geologic evidence
Coastlines fit together like puzzle pieces
What type of eruption and shape of slope does a composite volcano have?
Violent eruptions producing steep slopes
The most likely cause of earthquake activity on the West Coast of the United States
The slipping of tectonic plates
Where is Earth's crust the thickest?
Under continental mountain ranges
Where are the youngest rocks on the seafloor located?
Mid-ocean ridges
A volcano in Hawaii erupted with a high temperature abundant flow of basaltic lava that traveled about 10 km before stopping. The structure of the volcano was broad and flat. What type of volcano was this?
Shield
The most destructive waves produced by an earthquake
Surface
Formation of a continental glacier can cause the continental crust to __________________?
Sink
A scientist measured the distance moved by a tectonic plate over the course of a year. The distance would best be recorded in what units?
Centimeters
Why are most volcanoes located along the Ring of Fire around the Pacific Ocean?
It is an area with many zones of convergence
If a tsunami develops during an underwater earthquake, what will most likely occur?
Severe destruction will occur in coastal areas
Earth's tallest mountains are formed at ____________?
Continental-continental plate boundaries
Are convection currents caused by plate tectonics?
No
Volcanoes fueled by rhyolitic magma are very explosive because rhyolitic magma has __________?
High silica content and high dissolved gas content
The study of how seismic waves change as they travel through earth has revealed that
Earth's outer core is liquid because S-waves are not transmitted through this layer
The observed differences in density between continental crust and oceanic crust is most likely due to differences in their
Isostasy