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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Plate Tectonics And Earthquakes
An earthquake along the eastern coast of the North American Continent would be classified as belonging to which of the following classes of risk?
very high risk
mixed risk
very low risk
high risk
low risk
low risk
Events that occur infrequently but potentially carry large consequences are classified as a low risk events. An earthquake along the eastern shoreboard of the North American Continent would fall into this classification. "Very high risk" is not a risk classification.
Example Question #2 : Earth Science
Which of the following is a type of natural disaster caused by plate tectonics—movement of the plates that compose the Earth's surface?
Earthquakes along subduction zones
Heavy rains from tropical storms
Tornados in Kansas
Tsunamis formed by mass wasting
None of these
Earthquakes along subduction zones
Along convergent plate boundaries, friction from the subducting plate causes earthquakes. These quakes form deep within the Earth and can cause significant damage to the Earth's surface and human developments upon it. An example of a convergent boundary that causes frequent earthquakes is the west coast of the United States. While tornados, tropical storms, and tsunamis created by mass wasting are all natural disasters; they are typically not the result of plate tectonics.
Example Question #1 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
The theory of plate tectonics describes the movement of tectonic plates within Earth's __________.
outer core
lithosphere
asthenosphere
inner core
lithosphere
The correct response is lithosphere. The lithosphere is comprised of parts of the crust and upper mantle.
Example Question #1 : Ap Environmental Sciences
A geologist is measuring the magnitude of the last big earthquake that struck South America. She is able to calculate the magnitude because earthquakes release energy that create __________.
seismic waves
chop waves
capillary waves
heat waves
seismic waves
The correct response is seismic waves. Geologists can identify the magnitude of an earthquake using a seismograph that measure seismic wave activity.
Example Question #1 : Ap Environmental Sciences
The Hawaiian Islands are known for their hot spot volcanoes. This part of the world contains many different types of volcanoes. If researchers in Hawaii discover a volcano that has no record of ever erupting, then it would be referred to as a(n) __________ volcano.
dormant
active
rift
extinct
dormant
The correct response is dormant. The term dormant volcano refers to any volcano that has never been known to erupt. An active volcano is currently erupting or has been known to erupt in the past. An extinct volcano will never erupt again.
Example Question #5 : Earth Science
A researcher studies the natural history of volcanoes. He has found that a volcano in South America was formed by plates that collided and slid under each other. What type of volcano has the researcher discovered?
Active volcano
Rift volcano
Subduction volcano
Dormant volcano
Extinct Volcano
Subduction volcano
The correct response is subduction volcano. This type of volcano is formed when plates collide and slide under each other. A rift volcano is formed when plates move away from each other. The other three answer choices describe volcanic activity which was never mentioned in the question.
Example Question #5 : Ap Environmental Sciences
Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos Islands are formed from what type of volcanoes?
Subduction volcanoes
Hot spot volcanoes
None of these
Rift volcanoes
Composite cones
Hot spot volcanoes
Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos islands are formed by 'hot spots' in the Earth's mantle. As the tectonic plate passes over these hot spots, some mantle pushes through to form a volcano beneath the ocean, which gradually builds itself tall enough to become an island. When the plate moves away from the hot spot, the process starts over, and another island forms.
Example Question #2 : Ap Environmental Sciences
A __________ plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates move together, the higher density plate subducting under the other.
strike-slip
transform
convergent
divergent
convergent
A convergent plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates (large plates that make up the Earth's surface) move towards each other. When they meet, the higher density plate goes underneath (subducting) under the other. This is the type of plate boundary happening along the west coast of the United States. Divergent plate boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move apart. This process, over millions of years, can form ocean basins. As the divergent plate boundaries continue to move apart, new rock is formed between them. This type of plate boundary is taking place in the center of all modern ocean basins. Transform plate boundaries form when two tectonic plates slide against each other. This is occurring in California at the San Andreas Fault. Strike-slip faults are structures that form along transform plate boundaries.
Example Question #1 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
A volcano has a giant crater instead of a peak at the top and steep, sloping sides. What kind of volcano is this likely describing?
The correct type of volcano is not listed.
A "crater" volcano
A shield volcano
A cinder cone volcano
A composite volcano
A cinder cone volcano
This type of volcano is called a cinder cone volcano. Unlike a composite volcano or a shield volcano, a cinder cone volcano is characterized by a missing chunk near the top. This crater is a result of violent explosions followed by the falling of large quantities of debris and ash.
Example Question #3 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
The seasons experienced on Earth are caused by __________.
The elliptical shape of Earth's orbit around the sun
The tilt of the Earth's axis
The varying temperature of the sun during different times of year
Geothermal energy on a biological clock
The proximity of the Earth to certain star clusters at moments during the Earth's orbit around the sun
The tilt of the Earth's axis
Contrary to what many people think, the seasons are caused by the amount of light that the surface of each hemisphere of Earth receives during different parts the year. Because of the tilt of the Earth's axis and its rotation, certain months of the year result in more direct sunlight, but not necessarily because they are closer to the sun. The Northern hemisphere receives less sunlight during some months when the Earth's axis is tilted away from the sun; the resulting season is winter. Each ray of sunlight is spread out over more distance at the poles, whereas the warmest areas (at the equator) get the most direct sunlight. When Earth's axis is pointed towards the sun, the resulting season is summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
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