8.ESS2.4-Moving Continents, Telling Clues: Evidence for Plate Tectonics-Lesson Slides/notes

student notes

Plate Tectonics

• The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth's surface is broken into large, rigid pieces that move with respect to each other.

• These plates move slowly and can form volcanoes and mountains and cause earthquakes.

Multiple Choice

What is the theory of plate tectonics?

• The theory of Earth's surface being broken into large pieces that move.

• The theory of how the Earth was made.

• The theory of how magma is formed.

Measuring Plate Movement

• Plates move so slowly, it wasn't until the 1970s that scientists and engineers developed a way to measure their movement.

• The movement of the continents is measured by the Global Positioning System (GPS), which uses satellites to track moving objects.

• Even though the movement of the plates is slow, the changes are dramatic. About 200 million years ago, all of the continents were together in a super continent called Pangea. As the plates separated, the Atlantic Ocean was formed.

Why do tectonic plates move?

• Convection occurs in the Earth's asthenosphere, just below the lithosphere causes plates to move.

• Convection is the circulation within fluids caused by differences in density and thermal energy.

• When subduction happens, this also allows for plate movement ans the colder, more dense plate moves below another plate.

​The Theory of Plate Tectonics

• ​Earth's Plates are in slow constant motion, driven by convection in the mantle

  • Explains the formation, movement, and subduction of Earth's plates​

Ohio Grade 8 | Lesson 5.5

​Mantle Convection and Plate Motion

• As convection currents move in the mantle, the tectonic plate sits on top and moves with the current

• Plate movement is measured with satellites

  • Plates move about 1 to 12 centimeters a year

  • As they move, the shapes and size of the oceans change

  • Evidence shows that multiple super continents have existed before Pangea​

Ohio Grade 8 | Lesson 5.5

Multiple Choice

What is the motion of Earth's plates like?

• Fast and in stages

• Slow and in stages

• Fast and constant

• Slow and Constant

gradual

millions

slowly

major

large

Multiple Choice

Refer to the image provided:

Which theory or law explains these drastic changes in Earth’s crust?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

What provides evidence that supports the evolution of organisms and landforms?

• plate tectonics theory and law of superposition
• law of segregation and continental drift theory
• continental drift theory and law of superposition
• law of uniformitarianism and law of superposition

Multiple Choice

The continents on Earth today are not in the same location as they were 300 million years ago. What concept provides the best explanation for the drifting of the continents?

• theory of continental drift
• law of thermal expansion
• concept of isostasy
• theory of plate tectonics

Evidences for Plate Tectonics

• Fossils on different continents are similar to fossils on continents that were once connected. 

• Most continental and oceanic floor features are the result of geological activity and earthquakes along plate boundaries. 

Evidences cont.

• Most distributions of rocks within Earth's crust, including minerals, fossil fuels, and energy resources, are a direct result of the history of plate motions and collisions and the corresponding changes in the configurations of the continents and ocean basins.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are evidences for Continental Drift?

• The continents fit together almost like puzzle pieces forming Pangaea (one super-continent).

• Fossils on different continents are similar to fossils on continents that were once connected

• Astronomers have broken down this cycle into four primary Moon phases: New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter. Gibbous, Waning Gibbous, and Waning Crescent.

• Most continental and oceanic floor features are the result of geological activity and earthquakes along plate boundaries.

Multiple Select

Check all the statements that are true according to the scientific evidence about Pangaea.

• Pangaea only formed once.

• There are many ways that continents could fit together to form Pangaea.

• Pangaea formed more than once.

• Similar ancient animal fossils were found on Africa and South America.

• Earth's continents used to be part of a super-continent called Pangaea.

Fossils and Rock Layers

Location of fossils helps to date rock layers

fossils

traveled

connected

plate

tectonics

Multiple Choice

Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift. Which statement provides evidence for Wegener’s theory?

• Different fossils are found on different continents.
• Identical fossils are found on different continents.
• Different fossils are found on the same continent.
• Identical fossils are found on separate continents.

Multiple Choice

The graphic shows the distribution of fossils of four different organisms (Cynognathus, Mesosaurus, Glossopteris, and Lystrosaurus ) spread across different landmasses.

Which theory or law is most likely supported from the information in the graphic?

• The Theory of Evolution

• The Law of Superposition

• The Theory of Plate Tectonics

• The Theory of Relativity

Multiple Choice

Refer to the answers provided in the image and respond to the following question:

The fossils of reptiles Lystrosaurus and Cynognathus were found on the continents of Asia, Africa, Antarctica, and South America. What does the presence of these fossils suggest about the evolution of Earth?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

Refer to the responses in the image provided and answer the following question: A student reads that the fossil of the glossopteris plant is found in the continents of Africa, South America, Australia, and Antarctica. The plants arose during the Permian period and became extinct during the Triassic period.

What can be inferred from analyzing this finding?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

A new genetic study suggests that marsupials originated in South America. Today the largest variety of marsupials is found in Australia approximately 16,000 kilometers away from South America and separated by the Pacific Ocean.

Which geologic event most likely led to the origin of marsupials in Australia?

• global warming

• plate movement
• ice age

• meteorite impact

Multiple Choice

Answer the question provided.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

What conclusion can you draw from this evidence?

• Mesosaurus migrated across frozen oceans from Africa to South America during an ice age.

• The continents of South America and Africa were once joined when the Mesosaurus lived.

• The continents of South America and Africa once had underground waterways where the Mesosaurus travelled from continent to continent.

• The continents of South America and Africa had very different climates from each other which caused the Mesosaurus to migrate from season to season.

Multiple Choice

The distribution of fossils across the southern continents of Pangaea is shown on the map.

What can be inferred about continental drift from this information?

• Landmass shapes and fossils provide evidence refuting continental drift.

• Landmass shapes and fossils provide evidence supporting continental drift.

• Rock structures and climate change provide evidence refuting continental drift.

• Rock structures and climate change provide evidence supporting continental drift.

Earth Sciences: Plate Boundaries

In the theory of plate tectonics, the earth's crust is broken into plates that move around relative to each other. As a result of this movement, three types of plate boundaries are formed: divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

Divergent Boundaries

Divergent boundaries are boundaries where plates pull away from each other, forming mild earthquakes and volcanoes as magma comes to the surface.

Convergent Boundaries

Convergent boundaries are boundaries where two plates are pushing into each other. They are formed when two plates collide, either crumpling up and forming mountains or pushing one of the plates under the other and back into the mantle to melt.

Convergent Boundaries

Convergent boundaries form strong earthquakes, as well as volcanic mountains or islands, when the sinking oceanic plate melts.

Transform Boundaries

The third type is transform boundaries, or boundaries where plates slide past each other, forming strong earthquakes. All of this crashing, banging, and erupting are one reason why the surface of the earth has such a variety of landforms and features.

Multiple Choice

Why does oceanic crust slide below the continental crust in a convergent boundary to create ocean trenches?

• Oceanic crust is more likely to crumble under the pressure.

• Oceanic crust is less dense and more likely to be pushed back into the mantle.

• Oceanic crust is more plentiful and more likely to be available to slide in a convergent boundary.

• Oceanic crust is more dense and more likely to be pushed back into the mantle.

Multiple Choice

Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth's crust _____.

• moves around on the surface of the Earth in one piece.

• is stationary except for the continents that move through the ocean.

• is broken into pieces that move around.

• is broken into stationary pieces.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements BEST categorizes a transform boundary?

• It is tectonic movement as a result of mountain formation.

• It is tectonic movement as a result of building pressure, resulting in an earthquake.

• It is tectonic movement as a result of building pressure, resulting in an ocean trench.

• It is tectonic movement as a result of volcanic action.

Multiple Choice

What kind of plate boundary is shown in this picture?

• plates sliding past each other.

• a divergent boundary.

• a convergent boundary.

• a transform boundary.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following can be formed by a convergent boundary?

• Volcanic islands

• all of the choices

• Volcanic mountains

• Deep ocean trenches

Mountains

Volcanoes

Faults

plate

Multiple Choice

The image shows a convergent boundary where oceanic crust collides with continental crust.

What is the most likely result of this geologic activity?​

• Sea floor spreading occurs near the oceanic crust.

• Oceanic crust subducts beneath the continental crust.

• New oceanic crust forms because magma pushes up and hardens.

• Both the plates buckle and push up to form mountain ranges.

Multiple Choice

At which type of plate boundary is crust neither created nor destroyed?

• convergent

• divergent

• subduction

• transform

Multiple Choice

Greenland is very close to the North Pole and is covered with continental glaciers. What conclusion can be made about evidence of glaciers found in the northeastern United States?

• It was much colder in the northeastern United States in the past.

• It was much warmer near the North Pole in the past.

• The glaciers near the North Pole formed later than the ones farther south.

• The northeastern United States was once located closer to the Equator.

Multiple Choice

What kind of feature results from the convergence of two oceanic plates? THINK We haven't discussed these, BUT "Oceans" is your KEY WORD.

• island arcs

• massive continental volcanoes

• rift valleys

• tall mountain ranges

Multiple Choice

This evidence shows ancient animals lived on several continents, even though they are an ocean apart.

• Mountain Range Evidence

• Glacial Evidence

• Fossil Evidence

Multiple Choice

Similar patterns are found around the world in high peaks.

• Mountain Range Evidence

• Glacial Evidence

• Fossil Evidence

Multiple Choice

Marks left behind showing direction of ice movement

• Mountain Range Evidence

• Glacial Evidence

• Fossil Evidence

Multiple Choice

Metiorologist who porposed theory that continents move

• Alfred Wegener

• Pangea

• Rock Strata

Multiple Choice

Lines of similar age/type matching on different continents

• Alfred Wegener

• Pangea

• Rock Strata

Multiple Choice

Mega continent made of combined continents

• Alfred Wegener

• Pangea

• Rock Strata

Multiple Select

Mark only those that are evidence for Plate Tectonics:

• Rock Strata

• Porosity

• Fossil Record

• Acceleration

• Continental Drift

Evidence

Trenches

Volcanoes

convergent

​(Fossils are assumed to be the same age as the rock they are found in)

Multiple Choice

Which rock formation in the image is the oldest?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

Which rock formation is older than E and Younger than C?

• A

• D

• F

• J

Multiple Choice

Which letter indicates the youngest rock formation?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

How would a geologist know that E is the youngest rock formation?

• It cuts through all other rock formations

• It is higher than all the other rock formations

• It is deeper than the other rock formations

• It's the smallest rock formation

Multiple Choice

Which letter represents the oldest rock formation?

• A

• B

• C

• D

• E

Multiple Choice

How would a geologist know that rock formation C is the oldest?

• Every other rock layer cuts through it

• It is below every other rock formation

• It is only on one side of the cross section

• It is made of metamorphic rock

​Divergent Boundaries

• Faults are created at boundaries where convection currents pull plates apart and push them together

• Divergent Boundaries

  • When Plates move away, they can create massive cracks in the crust

    • When under water, mid-ocean ridges form

    • When on land a deep rift valley forms​

Ohio Grade 8 | Lesson 5.5

Multiple Choice

A mid-ocean ridge is an example of what type of plate boundary?

• convergent zone

• divergent zone

• transform zone

• subduction zone

Multiple Choice

The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are typically located near what feature?

• a mid-ocean ridge

• a subduction zone

• on an island arc

• a deep-sea trench

Multiple Choice

A rift valley is evidence of which kind of plate boundary?

• convergent boundary

• transform boundary

• divergent boundary

• hotspot

Multiple Choice

A teacher shows a tectonic plate boundary diagram to her class.

What type of plate boundary does the diagram best represent?

• an oceanic-oceanic divergent plate boundary

• an oceanic-oceanic convergent plate boundary

• an oceanic-continental divergent plate boundary

• an oceanic-continental convergent plate boundary

Multiple Choice

Why did the theory of plate tectonics improve upon Wegener’s theory of continental drift?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

The diagram in the image shows a portion of Earth's crust. What is represented by the movements indicated by the arrows.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Labelling

label the boundaries by name

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

Transform

Convergent

Pangea

Divergent

Hotspot

Click on the likely location of a divergent boundary!

Hotspot

Locate the divergent boundary.

Dropdown

Which plate boundary(ies) are divergent?​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

Use the diagrams below which show cross sections of exposed bedrock to answer the question.

Which cross section of bedrock shows the least evidence of crustal movement?

• 1
• 2
• 4
• 3

Multiple Choice

The diagram below shows a cross section of a portion of the Earth.

Which location represents a mid-ocean ridge?

• C
• D
• B
• A

Multiple Choice

The diagram below represents a cross section of the Atlantic Ocean between South America and Africa.

Which area would have the youngest rocks on the ocean floor?

• area A
• area B
• area C
• area D

Match

Match the following

• Claim

• Evidence

• Reasoning

Inference

Observation

Explains how evidence supports the claim

• Inference

• Observation

• Explains how evidence supports the claim

Multiple Choice

Evidence that we can see by looking at a map or a globe that suggests that the continents were once part of a single land mass is that some coastlines appear to

• have plentiful amounts of fish

• be identical

• fit together like puzzle pieces

• look like exotic destinations

Multiple Choice

Land features, fossils, and climate are all used as ...

• evidence of earthquakes

• evidence of continental jargon

• evidence of continental drift

• evidence of plate mechanics

Multiple Select

What is a land feature that scientists use as evidence for the theory of continental drift?

• nearly identical mountain ranges on opposing continents

• Pebbles in a stream that have no business being there.

• Fish located in current oceans where there couldn't be fish found years ago.

• coal deposits on opposing continents where plant life isn't supported by the current climate.

Multiple Choice

Oceanographers determined that the Earth's surface was made up of several large plates that make up this rocky layer of Earth.

• mantle

• lithosphere

• outer core

• asthenosphere

Multiple Choice

New ocean floor is created along a mid-ocean ridge along diverging plates through a process known as ...

• sea-floor spreading

• sea-floor convergence

• sea-floor subduction

• sea-floor immergence

Multiple Choice

A scientist notices a pattern of volcanic activity, earthquakes, and a long trench along the coast of a continent. Which type of plate boundary is most likely responsible?

• Divergent Boundary

• Oceanic - Oceanic Convergent Boundary

• Oceanic - Continental Convergent Boundary

• Continental - Continental Convergent Boundary

• Transform Boundary

Multiple Choice

Which of these cross sections below represents a convergent boundary?

claim

evidence

reasoning

​Your text here

data

claim

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is evidence for plate tectonics?

• The shape of continents

• The distribution of fossils

• The pattern of earthquakes and volcanoes

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a common effect of plate tectonics?

• Formation of hurricanes

• Creation of mountains

• Changes in weather patterns

• Formation of glaciers

Multiple Choice

What type of fossil occurs on most land masses, allowing for connection to continental drift?

• Birds

• Fish

• Reptiles

• Plants

Multiple Choice

Which continents were most likely part of Gondwanaland?

• Africa and North America

• Antarctica, Asia, and South America

• Africa, Europe, India, and Australia

• Africa, South America, India, Antarctica, and Australia

Multiple Choice

What can most likely be concluded from the evidence?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

Which argument supports the researchers’ claim?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

If fossils provide evidence for Earth’s history, which evidence would help the student justify this conclusion?

• A

• B

• C

• D

plate

tectonics

multiple

tectonic

plates

Multiple Choice

Mr. Jones, an archeologist, travels to study land animal fossils from millions of years ago.  He has found fossils of the smae land animals in eastern South America and western Africa.  Which conclusion best supports Mr. Jones' findings? 

• The 2 continents were once joined together as part of a larger continent.  
• Land animals found from fossils collected from the west coast of Africa are similar to the ones found on the east coast of South America
• Early Europeans became Zombies as a Result of the Rock coming to save the world in the movie San Andreas
• The animals developed on the two continents at the exact same time

Multiple Choice

Similar rock formations have been discovered in Brazil and South Africa. These rock formations were formed at the same time and are made of the same types of rocks. What could explain how these rocks got so far apart?

• Brazil and South Africa are parts of different plates. The plates were sometimes pushed far apart by earthquakes, and soft, solid rock from underneath got added to the edges of the plates.

• Brazil and South Africa are parts of different plates. The plates floated away from each other across the ocean.

• Brazil and South Africa are parts of different plates. The plates slowly moved apart as new plates from underneath got added between them over millions of years.

• Brazil and South 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.

Multiple Choice

The distribution of which organisms can be used as evidence that Africa was once connected to South America?

• Lystrosaurus, Mesosaurus, and Glossopteris

• Cynognathus, Glossopteris, and Lystrosaurus

• Glossopteris, Cynognathus, and Mesosaurus

Multiple Choice

Which inference(s) is (are) true?

• All inferences are false.
• All three inferences are true.
• Only the first inference is true.
• The second and third inferences are false.

Multiple Choice

What can be inferred from analyzing this finding?

• A

• B

• C

• D