search
arrow-left Previous
Next arrow-right
Q: In the context of plate tectonics, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
  • A. Eurasian plate is largely an oceanic plate.
  • B. The major tectonic plates are surrounded by young fold mountains ridges, trenches and/or faults.
  • C. Tectonic plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere.
  • D. Earth's surface is divided into seven major plates.
Correct Answer: Option A - Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth’s mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere. Volcanic activity, earthquakes, mountain-building and oceanic trench formation occur along these plate boundaries. The relative movement of the plates typically ranges from zero to 100 mm annually. Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid units. The Eurasian Plate has an estimated area of 67,800,000 square kilometers. It is the third-largest of the major tectonic plates. Most of the continents of Europe and Asia are in the Eurasian Plate. So statement (a) is NOT correct.
A. Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth’s mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere. Volcanic activity, earthquakes, mountain-building and oceanic trench formation occur along these plate boundaries. The relative movement of the plates typically ranges from zero to 100 mm annually. Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid units. The Eurasian Plate has an estimated area of 67,800,000 square kilometers. It is the third-largest of the major tectonic plates. Most of the continents of Europe and Asia are in the Eurasian Plate. So statement (a) is NOT correct.

Explanations:

Plate tectonics is the theory that Earth’s outer shell is divided into several plates that glide over the mantle, the rocky inner layer above the core. The plates act like a hard and rigid shell compared to Earth’s mantle. This strong outer layer is called the lithosphere. Volcanic activity, earthquakes, mountain-building and oceanic trench formation occur along these plate boundaries. The relative movement of the plates typically ranges from zero to 100 mm annually. Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid units. The Eurasian Plate has an estimated area of 67,800,000 square kilometers. It is the third-largest of the major tectonic plates. Most of the continents of Europe and Asia are in the Eurasian Plate. So statement (a) is NOT correct.