How Do Movements of the Crust Change Earth's Surface?

Earth's crust is made up of plates that rest on the mantle. Which of the following is the best estimate of how many plates make up Earth's crust?

• 10

• 100

• 1,000

• 10,000

Certain land features form where plates meet. Which land feature forms where two continental plates move toward each other?

• glaciers

• mountains

• oceans

• trenches

Once in a while a small area of Earth can shake enough to crumble buildings to the ground.

In which layer of the Earth is an earthquake felt?

• the inner core

• the outer core

• the mantle

• the crust

Scientists use a seismograph to measure the strength of an earthquake. Which specific aspect of an earthquake does a seismograph measure?

• the depth of the fault

• the total energy released

• the size of the energy waves

• the location of the epicenter

Certain land features form at plate boundaries. Which land feature is likely to form most quickly?

• a volcano

• a rift valley

• a chain of islands

• a mountain range

Different types of plate motion produce boundaries that shape different landforms and cause different natural events. Which event will MOST LIKELY occur where two plates move in different directions and slide against each other?

• an earthquake

• a fault

• a flood

• a volcano