Tectonics unit quiz
For each of the following questions
decide which is the best or most
appropriate answer
a, b or c
1/ P1F 2005 Describe the distribution of earthquakes
• a/ Most earthquakes are found close to the
equator
• b/ Most earthquakes occur in poor
countries
• c/ Most earthquakes are found close to
plate boundaries
2/ Sp P3H Describe and explain compressional
plates
• a/ This is when two plates are moving away from
each other due to convection currents in the
mantle. They are also called constructive plates
• b/ This is when two plates are moving towards
each other due to convection currents in the
mantle. They are also called destructive or
collision plates
• c/ This is when two plates are sliding past each
other due to convection currents in the mantle.
They are also called neutral plates
3/ P2F 1999 Name a range of fold mountains.
Describe 2 human activities which are typical of
your chosen area
• a/ Uluru, Australia. Farming and tourism
• b/ The Alps, Europe. Farming and tourism
• c/ Dartmoor, UK. Farming and tourism
4/ P3H 2000 & P1H 2004 With the aid of diagrams, explain
the formation of fold mountains.
• a/ When two plates at a tensional plate boundary
move apart, magma may rise through the crust
to produce fold mountains
• b/ When two plates at a compressional plate
boundary collide, it may force crustal rocks or
layers of sedimentary rocks formed in a
geosyncline to push up and fold
• c/ When two plates slide past each other at a
neutral plate boundary, pressure may be
released causing earthquakes.
5/ P1H 2004 Describe the physical features
of young fold mountains you have studied.
• a/ These areas are often sparsely populated because of
physical and climatic conditions. Pastoral farming usually
occurs on the valley sides and arable farming on the
valley floors. Forestry and tourism may occur in some
areas
• b/ Mountains tend to be relatively small and the
landscape smooth due and to erosion and weathering
• c/ There are often parallel formations of sharp, high
peaks with their valleys. Many ranges are still rising.
Rocks are usually folded and bent causing cracking.
They are often formed by layers of sedimentary rocks.
Glaciers have often cut out U shaped valleys
6/ P3H 1999 Explain the causes of tectonic activity on
Montserrat
• a/ The Caribbean and North American plates are moving towards
each other due to convection currents in the mantle. They meet at a
plate boundary where the North American plate is subducted
beneath the Caribbean plate . The subducted plate melts and
causes magma to rise to the surface to erupt as a volcano. The
movement of the 2 plates and the rising magma towards the surface
may cause earthquakes
• b/ The Caribbean and North American plates are moving away from
each other due to convection currents in the mantle. The plates
separate at a plate boundary. The cracks at the plate boundary
allows magma to rise to the surface to erupt as a volcano. The
movement of the 2 plates and the rising magma towards the surface
may cause earthquakes
• c/ The Caribbean and North American plates plates are moving
towards each other due to convection currents in the mantle . They
meet at a plate boundary where one plate goes over the other and
crumples up forming a fold mountain range
7/ P2F 2002 What are dormant volcanoes
• a/ Volcanoes that have not erupted for a
long time, but could still erupt. They are
sometimes described as sleeping
• b/ Volcanoes that can erupt at any time. It
is estimated that there are 1500 of these
on Earth
• c/ Volcanoes that will not erupt again.
Snowdon is a former active volcano
8/ P2F 2002 explain how a volcano forms
• a/ When two tectonic plates slide past each
other, a shockwave of energy may be released
• b/ When two tectonic plates collide, crust is
crumpled and folded up to form a volcano
• c/ When plates separate or meet at a plate
boundary, cracks in the crust allow magma to
rise to the surface, where successive eruptions
build a volcano
9/ 1998 P3h With reference to fig. 5 and examples
from your own studies, explain why some volcanic
eruptions cause more deaths than others
• a/ Some people choose to live in dangerous areas
because they were born there. Their family is from there
and though they might have a difficult life, it is
sustainable. Their job and livelihood is there
• b/ Some volcanic eruptions occur without warning, close
to populated areas. The eruption maybe explosive as a
result of a release of pressure that has built up over a
long period. Maybe the area affected is poor so it has
poor emergency services and infrastructure to cope with
the destruction
• c/ Some volcanic eruptions occur with some warning, in
sparsely populated areas. Maybe they are relatively
harmless and the pressure that is released is done
gradually over a long period. Maybe the area affected is
rich, having good emergency services and infrastructure
10 / P1F What type of plate boundary produces a
composite volcano ?
• a/ a tensional plate boundary
• b/ a neutral plate boundary
• c/ a compressional plate boundary
11/ P1F 2007 Describe the characteristics of a shield
volcano
• a/ wide base, gentle slopes and less tall.
Frequent eruptions of basic lava and is usually
non-violent eg. Mouna Loa (Hawaii)
• b/ narrow base, tall and made up of alternative
layers of acid lava and ash. It has a steep sided
symmetrical cone shape and can erupt violently
eg. Mount St. Helens
• c/ wide base, tall and made up of different layers
of acid lava and ash. Usually non-violent
12/ P1H 2007 Mauna Loa is a shield volcano. Explain the
characteristics of shield volcanoes and how they are
formed
• a/ They tend to be narrow and tall. Made up of different layers of
acid lava and ash as a result of successive eruptions. They usually
form at compressional plate boundaries. Rising magma formed by
material from the subducted plate, mixes with rocks from the other
plate causing chemical changes in the magma. This often leads to
explosive volcanic eruptions
• b/ They tend to be wide, having gentle slopes and short. They are
made from frequent, usually non-violent eruptions of basic lava.
They are usually formed at tensional plate boundaries, where
plates are moving apart as a result of convection currents in the
mantle. They can also occur where hotspots arise in the Earth’s
crust
• c/ They tend to be wide and tall. Made up of different layers of lava
and ash as a result of successive eruptions. They usually form at
neutral plate boundaries. Rising magma mixes with other rocks
causing chemical changes in the magma. This often leads to
explosive volcanic eruptions
13/ Sp 3h With reference to an example you have studied,
explain how volcanic action has influenced both the
physical and human geography of an area
• a/ Mt. St. Helens, USA. Landslide covered large area
around volcano. Forests, rivers and wildlife destroyed
• b/ Etna, Sicily. People evacuated their homes, but when
the volcano settled down, the ‘volcano tourists’ returned
• c/ Soufriere Hills, Montserrat. Forests and farmland
destroyed. New land built out from the coast. People
forced to migrate off the island or to the north. Housing
and towns destroyed. New housing has had to be built to
accommodate people fleeing, much was makeshift and
basic. Tourist activity declined. The area has become
more dependent on aid from Britain.
14/ Following the volcanic eruption on Montserrat, what are
the arguments for and against people staying on
Montserrat
• a/ People are concerned for their lives and may feel they
have lost their homes and livelihoods. People may have
lived their all their lives and enjoy living there and want to
help rebuild their island
• b/ People believe the UK government will offer lots of
help to rebuild their lives and that new tourists in search
of volcanic adventure are likely to visit the island
• c/ The soil will become more fertile and support better
farming. New land has been added by the volcanic
eruptions and has development potential on the coast
15/ P2F & 3H 2001 using an example, describe the effects
of a volcanic eruption
• a/ Seismic activity is monitored. Authorities discourage
development in hazardous areas. Emergency services
are trained. Eg. Kobe, Japan
• b/ When two plates move apart or towards each other,
cracks in the Earth’s crust allows magma to rise up and
erupt as a volcano eg. Iceland
• c/ People may be injured and killed. People may be
forced to flee or migrate. People’s houses and farmland
may be destroyed. Sunlight blocked out; turning day to
night. Aid and rescue operations organised. Soil
becomes more fertile. Business activity may temporary
decline as lives are disrupted eg. Soufriere Hills,
Montserrat
16/ P1F &P1H 2004 Explain how the eruption of Mt. St.
Helens may have affected the local people
• a/ 57 people lost their lives. Some people may have left
the area because of concern over future eruptions or
livelihoods. As the area recovers there is an increase in
tourism. A review of planning and development in the
area will take place
• b/ People moved to the north of the island. Some people
have left all together. Plymouth was covered in large
amounts of ash and evacuated. Government and other
services have had to be moved elsewhere
• c/ While local people were forced to evacuate, some
stayed foot. The media and vulcanologists moved in to
study the volcano and prepare for the eruption
17/ P1F 2005 For a volcanic eruption you have studied
describe the ways in which people have responded to the
disaster
• a/ Some people think - well you could go out tomorrow
and get run over by a bus. They may argue that life is full
of risks and therefore decide to stay in the area eg.
Soufriere Hills, Montserrat
• b/ People help the injured and bury the dead to prevent
disease spreading if large numbers have been killed.
People may leave the area or are evacuated out of it.
They may rebuild their lives and infrastructure
Emergency services and preparations for future
disasters may be improved. eg. Soufriere Hills,
Montserrat
• c/ Some people blame the authorities for not doing
enough to help or to predict the event. They demand
compensation from authorities or help to rebuild their
lives. Overseas charities organise aid campaigns to
support people eg. Soufriere Hills, Montserrat
18/ P1H 2005 For an earthquake or volcanic eruption you
have studied, describe the short term and long term
responses to the disaster
• a/ People help the injured and their families. They may move out of
any immediate danger to open ground or further from the source of
danger. Authorities organise rescue teams, food, water and shelter.
Buildings are repaired and aid is sent in. A review of the responses
takes place eg. Kobe, Japan
• b/ People see their opportunity to go on looting spree as authority
and law and order breaks down. Some are seen running off with the
latest widescreen TVs. The army is often sent in and a curfew
enforced eg. Kobe, Japan
• c/ The usual response to such a disaster is for people to respond by
sitting down and having a cup of tea and then planning a relaxing
holiday to recover. People might have to read books for
entertainment if the TV is off eg. Kobe, Japan
19/ P3H Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of living close to an active volcano
• a/ People can build their own geothermal power stations
and reduce their dependency on imported oil. Volcanic
activity is very unpredictable. Eruptions can occur during
live football games
• b/ The soil is often fertile and good for growing crops.
Minerals produced by volcanic activity can be exploited
eg. Sulphur or borax. Some tourist related employment
may be created. It can be very dangerous, risking life,
injury, home and livelihood. Dangerous gases can be
released
• c/ Some think these volcanoes cause fewer problems
than dormant volcanoes because they are more
predictable. They can block out the sun during an
eruption and frustrate those seeking to get a natural tan
20/ P2F 2000 & 2001 what is an earthquake
• a/ Often they cause tsunamis and
avalanches
• b/ They occur directly above the focus.
The point on the Earth’ surface that is
most effected is called the epicentre
• c/ A movement within the Earth’s crust
releases a shockwave of energy, causing
the surface to shake
21/ P2F & P3H 1998 Why do earthquakes sometimes
happen in the same location as volcanoes
• a/ These areas are very unlucky. Every few weeks or
months you here about such events and charities raising
money to help. Strangely, many people live in
dangerous places
• b/ Japan is a good example of this. They have lots of
earthquakes and volcanic activity. One just has to think
of Kobe or Mt Fuji. They also have a lot of typhoons and
tsunamis to contend
• c/ They occur close to plate boundaries where plate
movement causes earthquakes and causes cracks in the
crust allowing magma to rise to the surface to erupt as a
volcano. Furthermore, some volcanic activity causes
earthquakes
22/ P2F & 3H 2000 Describe how an earthquake
may affect an urban area
• a/ Villages may be destroyed, people may be injured of
killed and wildlife disturbed
• b/ Loss of life, people injured, building and infrastructure
collapse, fires occur due to gas explosions, disruption to
daily lifestyles, people made homeless
• c/ Tectonic plates slide past, move towards or away from
each other as a result of a release of pressure in the
crust. Tectonic plates lie on top of a conveyer belt.
Pressure builds up between the plates and eventually
they are forced to move, all be it slowly, because of this
conveyer belt driven by convection currents in the mantle
23/ P2F 2001 Suggest three reasons why some
earthquakes do not cause any loss of life
• a/ Few or no people live close to the epicentre. The
Richter scale strength of the earthquake is low. The
earthquake occurs deep under ground and much of its
energy is already dispersed before reaching the surface
• b/ An official may travel around with a megaphone telling
people to leave the area as an earthquake is expected.
All buildings have an earthquake proof design
• c/ It is possible to predict eruptions by recording seismic
activity. Emergency plans have been put in place with
well trained emergency services. Previous eruptions
have occurred in the area encouraging people to leave
24/ P3H 2001 & P1F 2003 & P1H Using examples, explain
why some earthquakes cause more loss of life than others
• a/ Some earthquakes are less powerful and hit sparsely
populated areas. Some are predictable and may occur
during the day when people are at work. The earthquake
may occur in an area where buildings are capable of
withstanding earthquakes. In richer countries they may
have less difficulty rescuing the injured
• b/ Some earthquakes are very powerful and hit densely
populated areas. They may occur suddenly, maybe at
night when people are in their beds. The earthquake
may occur in an area where buildings are incapable of
withstanding earthquakes. In poorer countries they may
have more difficulty rescuing the injured
• c/ The India Ocean earthquake that occurred on Boxing
Day 2004, caused the loss of life of thousands of people.
The tsunami that it caused effected lowlying areas of
Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka etc and literally
swept people away. The earthquake measured 9.0 on
the Richter scale
25/ P1F 2005 For an earthquake you have studied describe
the ways in which people have responded to the disaster
• a/ Some people think, ‘well you could go out tomorrow
and get run over by a bus’. Life is full of risks. We are
going to stay and rebuild our lives eg. Kobe, Japan
• b/ People help the injured and dying and put out fires
caused by explosions. Many people move to open
spaces to avoid harm from aftershocks. Some people
may leave the area. Most stay and rebuild their lives and
infrastructure. Emergency services and preparations for
future disasters may be improved eg. Kobe, Japan
• c/ Some people respond by buying solid wood dinning
tables so that they are better protected from building
collapse. Some people become more religious believing
such events represent God’s anger with people eg.
Kobe, Japan
26/ P1H 2005 For an earthquake or volcanic eruption you
have studied, describe the short term and long term
responses to the disaster
• a/ Some people travel to the area to help or seek excitement as
disaster tourists. In the long term they go back home or seek out
other disasters eg. Kobe, Japan
• b/ People immediately seek to protect themselves and their family.
They might try to get to an open space or seek protection under a
table. The injured and dying are helped. Fires are put out and
rescue teams, food, water and shelter are organised. With many
deaths, the dead are buried as quickly as possible reducing the
spread of disease. Water and electricity return and strategies are put
in place to provide a better warning or better planning for the effects
eg. Kobe, Japan
• c/ People should turn off the gas if they are cooking and go and fill
their baths because there is likely to be a water shortage. Quickly
get to the supermarket before the looters get all the bottled water,
bread and chocolate biscuits. Stay in and listen to your battery
powered radio for updates and if things get worse listen to the
Archers and remember things could be worse eg. Kobe, Japan
27/ P1f 2007 Describe the immediate effects of a volcanic
eruption or earthquake that you have studied
• a/ The army may be sent in. Aid from around the world
and the rest of the country is organised. New building
regulations will be announced in an attempt to improve
building design and to avoid extensive building on the
most unstable land . Emergency planning will be
improved
• b/ The earth starts to move. Buildings may collapse.
Fires may occur following gas explosions. People are
injured or killed. People will seek to help the injured and
to find out if friends and relations are safe. As a result the
telephone network is likely to collapse.
• c/ People will use strong language to ask the question
‘what was that’. They are then likely to move to an area
they think is safer than there current situation, all the
time using strong language and videoing what they see
and experience on the way. They will later post the video
on Youtube
28/ Sp. P2 Give 2 ways in which countries try to reduce the
earthquake hazard
• a/ Improve emergency procedures. The public are
educated and public service personnel are trained.
Stronger and more earthquake proof buildings can be
built. Use planning regulations to limit building in
unstable and vulnerable areas. Develop tsunami early
warning systems
• b/ Evict people from areas likely to experience
earthquakes. Set up a 5th emergency service to deal with
earthquakes
• c/ Monitor animal behaviour, because animals often
sense the danger before humans. Employ fishermen to
help with tsunami early warnings
29/ Sp P2F Explain why an earthquake may cause more
problems in an urban area than a rural area
• a/ Few people live in these areas so smaller numbers of
people will be injured and killed. Also there will be less
building collapse and less infrastructure to damage.
Furthermore, there is less likelihood of fires as a result of
fewer gas explosions
• b/ If Tokyo takes a direct hit from a powerful earthquake
many are concerned about the potential loss of life, but
also the economic effect it will have on the global
economy
• c/ More people live in these areas so there is likely to be
more building collapse and deaths and injuries. More
infrastructure is likely to be damaged and more fires as a
result of gas explosions.
30/ Sp P2F Explain why an earthquake may cause more
problems in a LEDC than a MEDC
• a/ Poorer countries have fewer resources to cope with the injured
and the damage. They may lack the resources, technology and
heavy machinery required for a speedy recovery. Poorer
infrastructure and less well resourced emergency services may
hamper the aid operation
• b/ Poorer countries have more resources to cope with the injured
and the damage. They are likely to have the resources, technology
and heavy machinery required for a speedy recovery. Better
infrastructure and well resourced emergency services will help with
the aid operation
• c/ Most of the countries affected by the Tsunami of Boxing Day 2004
were poor countries. Private citizens and governments around the
world provided aid to help these countries recover. Plans for an early
warning system for tsunamis have been agreed by the countries
bordering the Indian Ocean
1
c
8
c
15
c
22
b
29
c
2
b
9
b
16
a
23
a
30
a
3
b
10
c
17
b
24
b
4
b
11
a
18
a
25
b
5
c
12
b
19
b
26
b
6
a
13
c
20
c
27
b
7
a
14
a
21
c
28
a