All AP Environmental Science Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
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
very low risk
high risk
low risk
mixed 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 : Plate Tectonics And Earthquakes
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
Tsunamis formed by mass wasting
None of these
Tornados in Kansas
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 : Plate Tectonics And Earthquakes
The theory of plate tectonics describes the movement of tectonic plates within Earth's __________.
outer core
inner core
lithosphere
asthenosphere
lithosphere
The correct response is lithosphere. The lithosphere is comprised of parts of the crust and upper mantle.
Example Question #1 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
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
heat waves
chop waves
capillary 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 : Plate Tectonics And Earthquakes
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.
active
extinct
rift
dormant
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 #1 : 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?
Rift volcano
Active volcano
Extinct Volcano
Subduction volcano
Dormant 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 #2 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
Both the Hawaiian and the Galapagos Islands are formed from what type of volcanoes?
Hot spot volcanoes
Subduction volcanoes
Rift volcanoes
Composite cones
None of these
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 : Introductory Concepts And Earth Science
A __________ plate boundary forms when two tectonic plates move together, the higher density plate subducting under the other.
convergent
transform
strike-slip
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.
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