Theory of Plate Tectonics

Multiple Choice

Wegener had evidence to support his Theory of Continental Drift.  Which of these are pieces of evidence he had:

• The continents seem to fit together like puzzle pieces (matching coastlines)

• The similar rocks and rock layers on the coasts of continents that match up

• all of these

• Fossils records also support similar species found on matching coastlines

Multiple Choice

The Wegener's theory that the continents have not always been in their present locations but have moved there over millions of years

• Continental Drift Theory

• Plate Tectonics

• Alfred Wegener

• Lystrasaurus

Multiple Choice

Scientists hypothesize that a super continent existed 200 million years ago.  This continent is called

• America
• Super Earth
• Pangea
• Eurasia

Multiple Choice

What is the correct order (starting from the surface) of Earth’s layers?

• crust, outer core, inner core, mantle

• mantle, outer core, inner core, crust

• crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

• outer core, inner core, crust, mantle

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between the lithosphere and asthenosphere that makes up the mantle?

• The lithosphere is is made of dense solid meal while the asthenosphere is made of liquid molten metal

• The lithosphere is a mixture of gasses while the asthenosphere is made of solid rock
• The lithosphere is molten rock that moves while the asthenosphere is ridid and thin
• The lithosphere is made of solid rock while the asthenosphere is more flexible hot rock that moves.

Multiple Choice

Most geologists think that the movement of Earth’s plates is caused by _______

• convection currents in the mantle

• continental drift.

• subduction in the mantle

• conduction of heat energy

Multiple Choice

What are the two types of crust

• continental and oceanic
• ocean and upper
• lower and upper
• pizza and subway

Multiple Choice

What is this a picture of?

• plate tectonics
• continental drift
• pangea
• glacier scaring

Multiple Choice

A block of lithosphere that consists of the crust and the rigid, outermost part of the mantle.

• tectonic plate

• continent

• crust

• mantle

Multiple Choice

Thinner, more dense, younger crust, primarily basaltic, making ocean floor

• mantle

• continental crust

• oceanic crust

• asthenosphere

Multiple Choice

What evidence did Arthur Holmes use to prove that the Earth's surface changed over time?

• Fossils from Antarctica of animals that would live in tropical environments

• Rock formation in Antarctica

Multiple Choice

Holmes' believed that the plates moved due to?

• As a substance is heated its density Increases and it rises to the surface

• Cooling of a substance causes it to rise

• Heating of the mantle by the inner core

  causes convection currents

Multiple Choice

In the image below, the circular paths shown by the red arrows represent _______ currents in the Earth's mantle.

• electric

• convection

• conduction

• radiation

Multiple Choice

Sea-floor spreading is ...

• when continents collide.

• what happens at the mid-oceanic ridge where a divergent boundary is causing two plates to move away from one another resulting in spreading of the sea floor.

• when continents subduct.

• none of these.

Multiple Choice

During the 1950's, patterns like the ones shown in the diagram below were found within the crust on the ocean floor.  What did this discovery provide evidence for?

• two plates converging

• two plates sliding past each other

• New rock is being formed at the mid-ocean ridge at a divergent boundary

• how hot spot volcanoes form

Video Response

Describe three pieces of evidence used to support the theory of Plate Tectonics

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Video Response

How does the three pieces of evidence show that the Earth's surface has changed over time?

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