Enduring Resources for Earth Sciences Education (ERESE)
Database development and maintenance by the PACER Team

ERESE Questions
Plate Tectonics
  • What happens when two plates slide by each other?

  • Are hotspots fixed in the mantle or do they move over geological time?

  • How do tectonic plates move over the Earth's surface?

  • Where do the oceanic plates go after they are made?

  • Do volcanic island and seamount trails reflect plate motion?

  • What are hotspots and how are they formed?

  • How do we determine the relative motion of the plates?

  • What are the geological clues that there was once a supercontintent Pangea?

  • How do we measure plate motions on a sphere while maps are flat?

  • How does plate tectonics explain the main morphological features of the seafloor?

  • What is the difference between continental and oceanic plates?

  • What happens when two continents crash into each other?

  • How do we determine the absolute motion of plates?

    • Hyrdrothermal Systems

  • How does a hydrothermal system support primitive life?

  • How are hydrothermal vents formed?

  • What is a black smoker?

    • Earth Magnetism

  • How is magnetism used to explain plate tectonics?

  • How often does the Earth's magnetic field reverse?

  • What are the characteristics of the magnetic field in different places on Earth?

    • Oceanic Crust

  • How is the oceanic crust produced?

  • How do we identify mid-ocean ridges?

  • How are oceanic plates made and destroyed?

    • Plate Motion

  • How can you determine the rate of plate motion away from a spreading center?

    • Volcanoes

  • How do volcanoes form at subduction zones?

  • What are the causes for volcanism at mid-ocean ridges?

  • What different types of volcanoes occur on Earth?

    • Geological Time

  • How do we know the age of the Earth?

  • How do we measure geological time?

    • Earthquakes

  • How does the depth and location of earthquakes reveal plate motion?

  • What is the difference between the various types of seismic waves?

  • How do seismologists describe the intensity or magnitude of an earthquake?

  • How do earthquakes help us to distinguish between different Earth layers?

  • How do seismologists determine the location of an earthquake?

  • How does heat flow drive plate tectonics?

  • How can the locations and types of earthquakes be used to explain plate tectonics?

  • What are the various types of Earth motions that can cause an earthquake?

    • Miscellaneous

  • How to plan a seagoing expedition?

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    This list provides important Earth Sciences questions. Please click on the desired question to further explore the ERESE resource matrix.
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