Past Exam Questions - Physical Geology printable pdf download

Past Exam Questions - Physical Geology

Geol 101: Physical Geology

PAST EXAM QUESTIONS

LECTURE 3: PLATE TECTONICS I

3. The theory of plate tectonics had its origin in the concept of ___________ introduced in 1910 by Alfred Wegener.

A. seafloor spreading

B. subduction

C. continental drift

D. paleomagnetic reversals

E. jigsaw geology

3. The first line of evidence used to promote continental drift was that…

A. paleomagnetic fields are not consistent with the modern day magnetic field

B. the magnetic field underwent numerous reversals throughout Earth’s history

C. the continents seems to fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

D. lines of islands on moving plates formed above hotspots

E. scientists could tell that the continents are still moving today

3. Which of the following is NOT one of the lines of evidence initially used to develop the theory of plate tectonics?

A. the shapes of the continents seem to fit so well together

B. there are similar fossils of plants and animals on different continents

C. paleomagnetic poles do not match up unless the continents used to be together

D. the geology matches up from one continent to another

E. there is clear evidence that the continents plowed their way through ancient oceanic crust

3. The supercontinent that broke apart to form Gondwana and Laurasia was called:

A. Wegener

B. Pangea

C. Tethys

D. Panthalassa

E. Kattenhornia

3. Plate tectonics theory suggests that the continents were once all combined into a supercontinent called (1)

__________, with the southern part called (2) __________ and the northern part called

(3) __________.

A. (1) Pangea (2) Laurasia (3) Gondwana

B. (1) Pangea (2) Gondwana (3) Laurasia

C. (1) Pangea (2) Gondwana (3) Eurasia

D. (1) Gondwana (2) Laurentia (3) Pangea

E. (1) Gondwana (2) Pangea (3) Laurentia

3. South America and Africa do not fit together perfectly when matched up across the Atlantic Ocean because:

A. they were never together to begin with

B. parts of the continents were long ago subducted

C. their shapes have changed since Pangea broke up

D. the magnetic field has changed since the breakup of the continents

E. the true boundaries of the continents are actually 900m below sea level

Past Exam Questions - Physical Geology