Essay Questions
 

1. Why do magnetic variations help us understand plate tectonics?

See "magnetic striping and polar reversals" in the "building a theory" section of the  "Dynamic Earth" guide
 

2.   Why are earthquakes most likely to occur on pacific coastline?

See "earthquakes" in the "plate tectonics and people" section of the  "Dynamic Earth" guide
 

3.  As the earth gets older, what will happen in terms of tectonic activity and mountain building?

See "extraterrestrial plate tectonics" in the "some unanswered questions" section of the  "Dynamic Earth" guide
 

4.  Near the crest of the mid-ocean ridge rocks are younger than far from the ridge.  Why?

See "ocean floor mapping" in the "building a theory" section of the  "Dynamic Earth" guide
 

5.  If you were a scientist today, what question would you like to answer about plate tectonics?