SOL Review Unit 6 – Geology Part II Plate Tectonics 2001 – 2004 Released Tests

#1 All of the following support the theory of continental drift except that — A the continents seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle B there are similar fossils on different continents C mountain ranges in South America and Africa line up D the North Pole and Antarctica are covered with ice

#2 Which of the following major earthquakes did not occur at a boundary between tectonic plates? A South Carolina (U.S.A.) 1886 B San Francisco (U.S.A.) 1906 C Messina (southern Italy) 1908 D Chillan (Chile) 1939

#3 What is the fewest number of seismographic stations that must record the arrival time of P and S waves in order for the epicenter of an earthquake to be located? A 2 B 3 C 5 D 10

#4 Even though the Earth’s inner core is hotter than the liquid outer core, it is still solid because — A the heat rising from the inner core is melting the outer core B there is more water in the outer core and it dilutes the materials C the outer core is farther from the center, and there is less gravity holding it together D the pressure from all of Earth’s layers keeps it in a solid state

#5 Which of these is the best evidence that the Earth’s crust has undergone some major changes? A The location of major rivers B The amount of available water on Earth C The presence of marine fossils in mountain rock D The arrival of the vernal equinox

#6 The edges of moving crustal plates are often defined by — A ocean basins B frequent seismic activity C intercontinental plains D Earth’s largest rivers

#7 An earthquake struck San Diego, California. The above map and table show that the approximate difference in arrival times between the P-wave and S-wave at Seattle is — A 2 minutesC 4 minutes B 3 minutes D 5 minutes

#8 The point from which an earthquake originates is called the — A focus B epicenter C fault line D shock wave

#9 Which of the landforms is most likely to result when two continents collide? A C B D

#10 What does Pangaea mean? A It is the name of an extinct volcano. B It is the French word for volcano. C It is the name of an ancient supercontinent. D It is a huge disruption of the Earth’s atmospheric circulation.

#11 The Marianas Trench in the Pacific Ocean is 36,160 feet below sea level. This deep oceanic trench is caused by — A swift ocean currents eroding away the ocean floor B the collapse of an empty magma chamber in a large volcano C excessive boat traffic disrupting the normal sedimentation process D two tectonic plates colliding and one plunging below the other

#12 One part of California is on the Pacific Plate, while the remainder of the state is on the North American Plate. The two plates are moving to the northwest at different speeds, causing one plate to slide past the other. This movement in plates creates a — A normal fault B reverse fault C strike-slip fault D thrust fault

#13 What is usually responsible for an earthquake? A Pressure buildup within the mantle B Slippage along faults within Earth’s crust C Weathering along coastlines D Force changes from the moon pulling on Earth

#14 Scientists use volcanoes and earthquake activity to establish — A plate boundaries B lines of latitude C borders between countries D the density of rock layers

#15 The diagram above is similar to one drawn by Antonio Snider-Pelligrini in What data was he trying to explain with this diagram? A The distance between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres B The reason for similar fossils in Africa and South America C The presence of earthquakes on different continents D The variations in depths of the Atlantic Ocean

#16 When the sea floor spreads apart, volcanoes and ridges are formed because A sediments are deposited where the floor spreads, building ridges B as the plates pull apart, magma moves to the surface, building ridges C ocean water pushes down on the surrounding sea floor, pushing up ridges D underwater earthquakes lift the sea floor into long ridges

#17 Which of the following is not considered a result of the movement of tectonic plates? A Earthquakes B Mountain ranges C Increased volcanic activity D Karst topography

SOL Review Unit #6 Answer Key 1. D11. D 2. A12. C 3. B13. B 4. D14. A 5. C15. B 6. B16. B 7. B17. D 8. A 9. A 10. C