Question 1: What is a tectonic plate?

Answer: A large, rigid slab of Earth's lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.

Question 2: Define subduction zone.

Answer: A region where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another during convergence.

Question 3: Name the three main types of plate boundaries.

Answer: Divergent, convergent, transform

Question 4: Give an example of a divergent boundary.

Answer: Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Question 5: What geological features are typically associated with transform boundaries?

Answer: Fault lines and earthquakes

Question 1: Which plate boundary is responsible for the formation of the Himalayas?

Answer: Convergent boundary

Question 2: Name the ocean where the Pacific Plate is primarily located.

Answer: Pacific Ocean

Question 3: Describe the process of seafloor spreading.

Answer: Seafloor spreading occurs at divergent boundaries where new oceanic crust forms as magma rises and solidifies, causing plates to move apart.

Question 4: What is the significance of the Ring of Fire in tectonics?

Answer: It is a major area of Pacific Plate boundaries featuring frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, illustrating active subduction zones and plate movements.

Question 5: Identify two major earthquakes linked to tectonic activity in 2010.

Answer: Haiti earthquake (Magnitude 7.0) and Chile earthquake (Magnitude 8.8)

Question 1: Explain how plate tectonics contributed to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake.

Answer: The earthquake resulted from the Pacific Plate subducting beneath the North American Plate along the Japan Trench. The immense pressure and friction caused a megathrust earthquake, generating a tsunami and widespread destruction.

Question 2: Identify the type of plate boundary involved in the earthquake.

Answer: Convergent boundary

Question 3: Discuss two reasons why the Tōhoku earthquake caused a massive tsunami.

Answer: The earthquake's magnitude was high, displacing a large volume of seawater. Its location off the coast and the nature of the megathrust fault caused a significant vertical displacement of the seafloor, generating a tsunami.

Question 1: Analyse the causes of mountain formation at convergent plate boundaries, using the Himalayas as an example.

Answer: Mountain formation at convergent boundaries occurs due to continental-continental collision, where plates push upwards, causing crustal deformation. The collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate resulted in the uplift of the Himalayas, a process that involves intense compression, folding, faulting, and crustal thickening over millions of years.

Question 2: Explain why tectonic activity is uneven around the Earth's surface.

Answer: Tectonic activity is concentrated along plate boundaries where interactions such as subduction, collision, and sliding occur. Areas like the Pacific Ring of Fire experience frequent activity due to active subduction zones, while the interior of plates are relatively stable.

Question 1: To what extent are current strategies for managing tectonic hazards effective in reducing damage and loss of life? Consider examples such as Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Answer: Strategies such as early warning systems, building codes, and land-use planning have improved resilience. Japan's advanced earthquake preparedness has significantly reduced casualties, whereas some regions like the Philippines still face high risks due to limited resources. Overall, while strategies are improving, challenges remain in implementation and public awareness, making effectiveness variable across regions.