Why do geologists believe that part of the African continent will break off in the next 50 million years?

(1 point)
Responses

it experiences severe earthquakes
it experiences severe earthquakes

it is near a mid-ocean ridge
it is near a mid-ocean ridge

it has active volcanoes
it has active volcanoes

it is part of a rift valley

7 answers

Geologists believe that part of the African continent will break off in the next 50 million years because it is part of a rift valley. The East African Rift is an example of tectonic activity where the continental plate is being pulled apart, which can lead to the formation of new ocean basins and the eventual splitting of the landmass.

How is plate tectonics responsible for the formation of Earth’s deepest ocean trench?(1 point)
Responses

a plate moved over a hot spot in the mantle
a plate moved over a hot spot in the mantle

two plates moved past each other in opposite directions.
two plates moved past each other in opposite directions.

a denser plate converged with a lighter plate
a denser plate converged with a lighter plate

two plates pulled apart from each other

Plate tectonics is responsible for the formation of Earth’s deepest ocean trench because a denser plate converged with a lighter plate. This process occurs at subduction zones, where an oceanic plate, which is denser, is forced beneath a continental plate or a less dense oceanic plate, leading to the creation of deep ocean trenches.

What is most often the case when an ocean plate converges with another plate?(1 point)
Responses

large rift valleys
large rift valleys

mountain building
mountain building

some kind of subduction zone
some kind of subduction zone

new land is created due to magma

When an ocean plate converges with another plate, some kind of subduction zone is most often the case. In these scenarios, the denser oceanic plate is typically subducted beneath a less dense plate, which can lead to the formation of ocean trenches and volcanic activity.

What underwater geological process is caused by tectonic plates?(1 point)
Responses

currents
currents

seafloor spreading
seafloor spreading

hydrothermal Vents
hydrothermal Vents

turnover

The underwater geological process caused by tectonic plates is seafloor spreading. This process occurs at mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust.