16
QuizMultiple Choice

Plate Tectonics

Question 16 • 2026-27 AL-Earth and Space Science

Which best explains why earthquakes sometimes occur in the same locations as mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys?

Answer
A
Plates bump as they slip past each other at convergent boundaries.
B
Plates get stuck as they move past each other at convergent boundaries.
C
Crust gets cracked and forms faults as plates collide along divergent plate boundaries.
D
Faults form because crust gets cracked when plates move apart along divergent plate boundaries.

Explanation

Mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys form where tectonic plates move apart at divergent boundaries. As the crust stretches and cracks, faults develop, and movement along those faults can cause earthquakes. Choice D correctly connects cracked crust and fault formation with plates moving apart; the other choices describe plates colliding or use the wrong boundary type.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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