Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a step in the Wilson cycle?

1. Formation of spreading center

2. Opening of ocean basin

3. Creation of mountain range

4. Contraction of ocean basin

The correct answer is: Creation of mountain range

The Wilson cycle describes the cyclical process of plate tectonics where ocean basins form, grow, and eventually close, leading to the creation of mountain ranges through continental collision. In this cycle, the process begins with the formation of a spreading center where two tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust. As these ocean basins open, they can become extensive and eventually lead to the geological activity that creates mountain ranges when continental plates converge. The step that is not part of the Wilson cycle is the creation of a mountain range as a standalone action. While mountain ranges do form as a product of the cycle, particularly during the continental collision phase, they are not one of the direct steps in the cyclical process itself. The cycle specifically focuses on aspects such as the formation and opening of ocean basins and their subsequent contraction, which leads to the final stages of closing the ocean basin and the potential for higher landforms like mountain ranges to arise from the tectonic forces at work. In summary, while mountain ranges do emerge as a consequence of the Wilson cycle, they do not represent a specific step within the cycle's processes. The formation of spreading centers, the opening of ocean basins, and the contraction of ocean