The Theory of Plate Tectonics

How do scientists detect tectonic plate motion?

• They measure the amount of change in ocean depth using meter sticks.

• They collect data using submarines and deep-ocean robots.

• They detect motion using special equipment, such as GPS.

• They calculate the difference in the time it takes Earth to make one complete revolution around the Sun, and use this information to determine growth in plates.

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The theory of plate tectonics states:

• Earth's lithosphere is broken into many pieces called tectonic plates that move slowly over the asthenosphere.

• Earth's asthenosphere is broken into many pieces called tectonic plates that move slowly over the lithosphere.

• Earth's inner core is broken into many pieces called tectonic plates that move slowly over the outer core.

• Earth's mantle is broken into many pieces called convection currents that allow heat to travel through the Earth.

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The place where tectonic plates meet are called

• mid-ocean trenches

• volcanoes

• earthquakes

• boundaries

All of the following occur along tectonic plate boundaries EXCEPT

• earthquakes

• volcanoes

• mid-ocean ridges

• hurricanes

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A divergent boundary is where

• two plates move apart

• two plates move together

• plates slide past each other

• plates remain non-moving

The features that form at a plate boundary depend on

• the temperature of the plate

• what kind of plate boundary it is

• the continent the plate is closest to

• the depth of the ocean above that plate

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Most divergent boundaries are found

• near a mountain range

• in the Northern Hemisphere

• in Asia

• beneath the oceans

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In a divergent boundary, plates pull away from each other. This allows cracks to form in the lithosphere. Melted rock can rise through these cracks. When the melted rock cools and hardens, it

• becomes new lithosphere.

• becomes a mountain range.

• sinks back into the mantle.

• freezes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of the following is NOT a type of convergent boundary?

• Continent-Continent Boundary

• Continent-Ocean Boundary

• Ocean-Ocean Boundary

• Ocean-Mountain Boundary

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The Himalayas were created along a _______________ convergent boundary.

• continent-continent

• ocean-continent

• ocean-ocean

• ocean-mountain

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

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