Plate Motion Test Review

Front

What is the Earth's outer layer made of underneath the soil and ocean?

Back

The Earth's outer layer underneath both the soil and the ocean is made of hard, solid rock.

Front

What is the composition of Earth's crust?

Back

Earth's crust is made of hard, solid rock.

Front

What explains the separation of Mesosaurus fossils found in South America and Africa?

Back

South America and Africa are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved far apart as soft, solid rock from underneath got added to the edges of the plates over millions of years.

Front

What does GPS data show about the movement of tectonic plates?

Back

GPS data can show that two plates have moved apart.

Front

What type of plate boundary occurs when two plates move away from each other?

Back

This is called a divergent plate boundary.

Front

What is a tectonic plate?

Back

A tectonic plate is a large, rigid piece of the Earth's lithosphere that moves and interacts with other plates.

Front

What is the lithosphere?

Back

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle.

Front

What is a convergent plate boundary?

Back

A convergent plate boundary is where two tectonic plates move towards each other, often causing one plate to be forced beneath the other.

Front

What is a transform plate boundary?

Back

A transform plate boundary is where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally.

Front

What geological feature is formed at divergent plate boundaries?

Back

Divergent plate boundaries can create mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.