Tectonic Quiz Review

Convection Currents Define the following: Plate Tectonics Study of the formation and movement of the rigid plates that form the crust of the Earth. The rising of hot material and sinking of cooler material in the Earth.

The theory promoted by Alfred Wegener that all continents used to be connected as one “super-continent”. Define the following: Continental Drift Super Continent Pangaea

Gondwanaland Define the following: Laurasia Northern land mass, would later separate into North America and Eurasia. Southern land mass, would later separate into Africa, Antarctica, Australia, India and South America.

Lystrosaurus Define the following: Mesosaurus An extinct, fresh-water animal, fossils were found in south-western Africa and south- eastern South America. An extinct, land animal. Fossils were found in Africa, India, and Australia.

Oceanic Plate Define the following: Glossopteris An extinct seed-fern. Fossils were found in South America, Africa, Madagascar, India, Australia, and Antarctica. A tectonic plate that has an ocean on it.

Converging Boundary Define the following: Continental Plate A tectonic plate that has a continent on it. Two tectonic plates that are coming together. 1. Subduction  Volcanoes 2. Collision  Mountains

Sliding/Transform Boundary Define the following: Diverging Boundary 2 tectonic plates that are moving apart. 2 tectonic plates that have sliding past each other.

1.Describe how coastlines are evidence for the theory of continental drift. They fit together like puzzle pieces. Similar rock and mineral types are found across the Atlantic Ocean. 2.Describe how geologic/rock features can be evidence for the theory of continental drift.

It provides a mechanism and a cause of earthquakes and it predicts where earthquakes are most likely to occur. 3.How does the presence of a large number of earthquakes at plate boundaries support plate tectonic theory?

4.How does the age of the ocean floor support the plate tectonic theory? The youngest sections of ocean floor are from where the motion seems to originate, new seafloor created. 5.Why is it important to study? It helps explain how the Earth has taken its present form and helps us predict future changes.