Understanding Plate Tectonics

Understanding Plate Tectonics

Interactive Lesson

Plate Tectonics Notes

Write on notebook paper.

• The study of plate movement and its effects is called plate tectonics.

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• The lithosphere is divided into large pieces called tectonic plates.

Multiple Choice

What is plate tectonics?

• The study of plate movement and its effects.

• The study of how rocks can be changed into different types of rocks over time.

• The study of characteristics of Earth's compositional and mechanical layers.

Multiple Choice

The lithosphere is divided into large pieces called...

• mountains.

• rift valleys.

• tectonic plates.

Plate Tectonics Notes

Write on notebook paper.

• Most tectonic plates are made up of a combination of oceanic and continental crust.

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• There are 7 major tectonic plates by size that make up the lithosphere.

Multiple Choice

Most tectonic plates are made up of a combination of...

• nickel and iron.

• oceanic and continental crust.

• lower and upper mantle.

Multiple Choice

The lithosphere is broken into how many major tectonic plates?

• Three

• Five

• Seven

• Ten

Plate Movement Notes

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• Because all the plates fit together, the movement of one plate affects the others.

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• The driving force for plate movement is convection currents within the asthenosphere.

Plate Movement Notes

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• Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. The denser crust will sink below the less dense crust (subduct) when they collide.​

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• Continental crusts of equal density will rise and cause the geologic event of mountain building when they collide.

Multiple Choice

What is the driving force for Earth's plate movement?

• Convection Currents

• Earthquakes

• Mountain Building

Multiple Choice

Oceanic crust is denser than continental crust. The denser oceanic crust will...

• stop moving when colliding with continental crust.

• push over continental crust forming mountains.

• subduct under continental crust.

Multiple Choice

What is formed when continental and continental crust collide?

• Rift Valley

• Mountains

• Volcanic Islands

Plate Boundaries Notes

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• The areas where the edges meet are called plate boundaries.

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• Three are three types of boundaries - convergent, divergent, and transform

Multiple Choice

The areas where the plate edges meet are called...

• mountains.

• rift valleys.

• plate boundaries.

Multiple Choice

Which plate boundary involves the tectonic plates moving away from each other?

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Multiple Choice

Which plate boundary involves the tectonic plates moving side by side?

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Multiple Choice

Which plate boundary involves the tectonic plates moving towards each other?

• Convergent

• Divergent

• Transform

Multiple Choice

(Convergent Boundary) What Earth feature would be an example of oceanic and oceanic crust moving together?

• Himalayan Mountains

• Cascade Mountain Range

• Aleutian Islands

Multiple Choice

(Convergent Boundary) What Earth feature would be an example of oceanic and continental crust moving together?

• Himalayan Mountains

• Cascade Mountain Range

• Aleutian Islands

Multiple Choice

(Convergent Boundary) What Earth feature would be an example of continental and continental crust moving together?

• Himalayan Mountains

• Cascade Mountain Range

• Aleutian Islands

Multiple Choice

(Divergent Boundary) What Earth feature would be an example of oceanic and oceanic crust moving away from each other?

• Great Rift Valley

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• San Andreas Fault

Multiple Choice

(Divergent Boundary) What Earth feature would be an example of continental and continental crust moving away from each other?

• Great Rift Valley

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• San Andreas Fault

Multiple Choice

(Transform Boundary) What Earth feature would be an example of tectonic plates sliding side by side?

• Great Rift Valley

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• San Andreas Fault

Multiple Choice

What type of force occurs at convergent boundaries?

• Compression

• Shearing

• Tension

Multiple Choice

What event occurs at a convergent boundary of oceanic to continental crust?

• Mountains

• Volcanoes

• Volcanic Islands

Multiple Choice

What event occurs at a convergent boundary of continental to continental crust?

• Mountains

• Volcanoes

• Volcanic Islands

Multiple Choice

What event occurs at a convergent boundary of oceanic to oceanic crust?

• Mountains

• Volcanoes

• Volcanic Islands

Multiple Choice

What type of force occurs at divergent boundaries?

• Compression

• Shearing

• Tension

Multiple Choice

What type of force occurs at transform boundaries?

• Compression

• Shearing

• Tension

Multiple Choice

What event occurs at a divergent boundary of continental and continental crust?

• Rift Valley

• Ocean Basin

• Earthquakes (San Andreas Fault)

Multiple Choice

What event occurs at a transform boundary of two tectonic plates?

• Rift Valley

• Ocean Basin

• Earthquakes (San Andreas Fault)

Multiple Choice

What event occurs at a divergent boundary of oceanic and oceanic crust?

• Rift Valley

• Ocean Basin

• Earthquakes (San Andreas Fault)

Multiple Choice

What event happens at convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries?

• Mountains

• Volcanoes

• Earthquakes