earthquake
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100
The map shows all earthquakes in the western United States during a 24-hour period in July.
Based on the locations shown on the map, what is the most likely cause of most of the recorded earthquakes?
A.divergent motion of two oceanic plates B.divergent motion of two parts of a continental plate
C.subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate
D.subduction of a continental plate beneath another continental plate
C.subduction of an oceanic plate beneath a continental plate
100
Which type of rock is formed when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure?
A.sandstone
B.basalt
C.marble
D.granite
C.marble
100
The structures created at convergent boundaries under the ocean are different than the structures created at those boundaries on land. Which statement describes this difference?
A.Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent mountains will form.
B.Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent a rift valley will form.
C.Under the ocean there will be sea-floor spreading, and on a continent a rift will form.
D.Under the ocean there will be sea-floor spreading, and on a continent a fault will form.
A.Under the ocean a trench will form, and on a continent mountains will form.
100
Radioactive isotopes inside Earth are constantly decaying. This process results in
A.an increase in Earth's mass over time.
B.the generation of heat energy inside Earth.
C.the slow formation of larger and larger molecules.
D.a slow rise in the mean atomic number of atoms on Earth.
B.the generation of heat energy inside Earth.
100
The diagram shows a volcano.
This volcano was MOST likely caused by which activity?
A.faulting at a transform boundary
B.faulting at a convergent boundary
C.subduction at a transform boundary
D.subduction at a convergent boundary
D.subduction at a convergent boundary
200
Which type of plate boundary is MOST responsible for the formation of the Himalayan Range?
A.divergent boundary within an oceanic crust
B.divergent boundary within a continental crust
C.convergent boundary between two oceanic crusts
D.convergent boundary between two continental crusts
D.convergent boundary between two continental crusts
200
A diagram of sedimentary rock is shown below.
Assuming the layers have NOT been disturbed, which layer would contain the MOST crystallized minerals?
A.W
B.X
C.Y
D.Z
D.Z
200
The diagram shows the motion of tectonic plates.
Which term provides the MOST accurate classification of the geologic structure shown?
A.anticline fold
B.syncline fold
C.normal fault
D.reverse fault
D.reverse fault
200
Certain activities occur at different plate boundaries due to movement at the boundary. Which activity would be the MAIN result of two tectonic plates slipping past one another?
A.floods
B.earthquakes
C.island building
D.seafloor spreading
B.earthquakes
300
In certain areas, tectonic plates move over hot spots. Which landforms are MOST likely associated with these hot spots?
A.trenches
B.volcanoes
C.island arcs
D.mid-ocean ridges
B.volcanoes
300
Which U.S. feature was formed through the geological process of continental accretion?
A.the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico
B.the Aleutian Islands of Alaska
C.the Grand Canyon in Arizona
D.the Delicate Arch in Utah
B.the Aleutian Islands of Alaska
300
In examining an area, a geologist discovered a thrust fault. He sketched the fault shown.
Which MOST likely caused this geologic feature?
A.tensional forces
B.compressional forces
C.movement along divergent boundaries
D.movement along transform boundaries
B.compressional forces
300
The arrows on the map below show the general motion of Earth’s major plates.
Which number is MOST likely the location of a volcano formed by a divergent boundary?
A.1
B.2
C.3
D.4
B.2
300
When an igneous intrusion comes into contact with surrounding rock, the surrounding rock will
A.erode.
B.foliate.
C.precipitate.
D.recrystallize.
D.recrystallize.
400
To demonstrate the movements of plates along a transform boundary, a teacher placed two books side by side on a table, as shown in Figure 1. Next, the teacher moved the two books, as shown in Figure 2.
Which geological event would MOST likely occur along the type of boundary demonstrated?
A.eruption of volcanoes
B.occurrence of earthquakes
C.development of rift valleys
D.formation of mountain ranges
B.occurrence of earthquakes
400
Near which geologic structure are the youngest rocks on Earth found?
A.kettle hole
B.normal fault
C.active volcano
D.glacial striation
C.active volcano
400
Scientists have measured the rate of growth of the Atlantic Ocean basin to be about 2 to 3 cm per year. This type of activity coincides with the formation of ridges on the ocean floor. What is the MOST likely cause of this activity?
A.flow of continental basalt
B.movement of tectonic plates
C.erosion of undersea mountains
D.deposition of sediment from estuaries
B.movement of tectonic plates
400
Volcanic eruptions form volcanic mountain chains such as the Cascade Range.
What is the main source of heat in the magma that builds these mountain chains?
A.heat rising from the core of Earth
B.heat produced during earthquakes
C.heat within the crust and mantle of Earth
D.heat from friction between tectonic plates
C.heat within the crust and mantle of Earth
400
A geologist drew a diagram illustrating a section of a boundary between two tectonic plates. His diagram includes the geologic feature shown below.
What type of plate boundary created this feature?
A.transform boundary between two continental plates
B.divergent boundary between two continental plates
C.transform boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate
D.convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate
B.divergent boundary between two continental plates
500
Most volcanoes develop due to interactions between two tectonic plates. Which of the tectonic plate interactions is LEAST likely to produce volcanic activity?
A.two diverging oceanic plates
B.two converging oceanic plates
C.two diverging continental plates
D.two converging continental plates
D.two converging continental plates
500
Scientists measure the increasing height of the Himalaya Mountains. Which of the following provides the BEST reason for the height increases of these mountains?
A.a convergent boundary between the Eurasian Plate and IndoAustralian Plate
B.a divergent boundary between the African Plate and South American Plate
C.a subduction boundary between the Nazca Plate and South American Plate
D.a transformation boundary between the Iranian Plate and Arabian Plate
A.a convergent boundary between the Eurasian Plate and IndoAustralian Plate
500
Certain movements of oceanic plates cause the formation of new crust on the ocean floor. Which plate movement would result in the formation of new crust?
A.one oceanic plate sliding past another
B.one oceanic plate slipping beneath another
C.two oceanic plates colliding against each other
D.two oceanic plates pulling away from each other
D.two oceanic plates pulling away from each other
500
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) maintains a set of earthquake hazard maps that cities and towns use for developing building codes.
Based on the map, which city or town is located in an area of greatest earthquake hazard?
A.Bangor, ME
B.Bismarck, ND
C.Charleston, SC
D.Albuquerque, NM
C.Charleston, SC
500
The diagram below shows the locations of several volcanic mountains on the big island of Hawaii.
Which two volcanic mountain summits are closest to 50 kilometers apart?
A.Hualalai and Kilauea
B.Kilauea and Mauna Kea
C.Mauna Kea and Kohala
D.Mauna Loa and Kohala
B.Kilauea and Mauna Kea