Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

STUDY > Geography > Flashcards

Geography Flashcards

(65 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is plate tectonics?

A

A scientific theory explaining the movement of the Earth’s lithosphere divided into tectonic plates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

True or False: The Earth’s crust is a single, unbroken layer.

A

False

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the three main types of plate boundaries?

A

Divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ boundary is where two tectonic plates move apart.

A

divergent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What type of boundary is associated with subduction zones?

A

Convergent boundaries.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which tectonic plate is Japan located on?

A

The Pacific Plate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What major event occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011?

A

A massive earthquake followed by a tsunami.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

True or False: The 2011 Japan earthquake had a magnitude of 9.0.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What was the primary cause of the 2011 Japan earthquake?

A

The subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American Plate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How deep was the epicenter of the 2011 Japan earthquake?

A

Approximately 30 kilometers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a volcano?

A

An opening in the Earth’s crust where molten rock, ash, and gases can escape.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the two main types of volcanoes

A

Shield and composite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Fill in the blank: __________ volcanoes have gentle slopes and produce primarily lava flows.

A

Shield

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the name of the volcanic material that is ejected during an eruption?

A

Tephra.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

True or False: Stratovolcanoes are characterized by their steep, conical shape.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the term for molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface?

A

Magma.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the term for molten rock that reaches the Earth’s surface?

A

Lava.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What was the estimated death toll from the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami?

A

Approximately 18,500 people.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes.

A

Richter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a tectonic plate?

A

A large slab of Earth’s lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What geological feature is formed at convergent boundaries?

A

Mountain ranges or trenches.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

True or False: The Ring of Fire is an area with high volcanic activity surrounding the Pacific Ocean.

A

True

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is the term for the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the earthquake’s focus?

A

Epicenter.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which tectonic plate is known for causing significant seismic activity in California?

A

The San Andreas Fault, part of the North American Plate.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is a hotspot?
A location where magma rises from deep within the mantle to form volcanoes.
26
Fill in the blank: The __________ is the molten rock layer beneath the lithosphere.
asthenosphere
27
What is the primary gas released during volcanic eruptions?
Water vapor.
28
What geological process leads to the formation of rift valleys?
The divergence of tectonic plates.
29
What is the main difference between a shield volcano and a stratovolcano?
Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes, while stratovolcanoes are steep and conical.
30
True or False: Earthquakes can occur far from tectonic plate boundaries.
True
31
What is the name of the scale used to measure the intensity of earthquakes?
Mercalli Intensity Scale.
32
What type of volcanic rock is formed from rapidly cooling lava?
Basalt.
33
Fill in the blank: The __________ zone is where an oceanic plate is forced under a continental plate.
subduction
34
What is a volcanic island arc?
A chain of volcanic islands formed at a subduction zone.
35
What is the primary feature of a caldera?
A large depression formed after a volcanic eruption.
36
True or False: Tsunamis can be caused by underwater earthquakes.
True
37
What is the largest active volcano in the world?
Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
38
What is the term for the release of gas and ash from a volcano?
Volcanic eruption.
39
Fill in the blank: The __________ theory explains how continents drift apart over time.
continental drift
40
What does the term 'tectonic activity' refer to?
The movement and interaction of tectonic plates.
41
What type of eruption is characterized by explosive outbursts?
Plinian eruption.
42
What is the primary cause of tectonic plate movement?
Convection currents in the mantle.
43
Fill in the blank: __________ waves are seismic waves that travel through the Earth.
P and S
44
What kind of volcanic rock is typically produced by explosive eruptions?
Pumice.
45
True or False: The Pacific Plate is the largest tectonic plate.
True
46
What is the main hazard associated with stratovolcanoes?
Explosive eruptions and pyroclastic flows.
47
What is the name for a volcanic vent that emits steam and gases?
Fumarole.
48
Fill in the blank: __________ is the process by which one tectonic plate is forced under another.
Subduction
49
What is a transform fault?
A boundary where two plates slide past each other.
50
What is the approximate death toll of the 2011 Japan tsunami?
Approximately 15,000 deaths.
51
What is the term for the molten rock that collects in a volcano's chamber?
Magma chamber.
52
What geological feature is created at divergent boundaries?
Mid-ocean ridges.
53
What is the primary composition of the Earth's crust?
Granite and basalt.
54
True or False: All volcanic eruptions are dangerous.
False
55
What is the term for the area around the Pacific Ocean known for its high seismic activity?
The Ring of Fire.
56
Fill in the blank: __________ are small volcanic islands formed by hot spots.
Seamounts
57
What is the primary cause of the 2011 Japan earthquake?
The subduction of the Pacific Plate.
58
What is the term for the boundary where two tectonic plates collide?
Convergent boundary.
59
What is the primary gas emitted during a volcanic eruption?
Water vapor.
60
What type of volcanic eruption produces large amounts of ash?
Plinian eruption.
61
What is the name of the fault line that runs through California?
San Andreas Fault.
62
What is a lahar?
A destructive mudflow on the slopes of a volcano.
63
True or False: The Earth's tectonic plates are constantly moving.
True
64
What geological feature is formed by the collision of two continental plates?
Mountain ranges.
65
What is the primary risk of living near a volcano?
Eruptions and associated hazards like lava flows and ash fall.

STUDY (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions