Tectonic Plates

Describe the most likely relationship between these mountains and nearby tectonic plates.

• The mountains are probably formed by earthquakes

• The mountains are probably formed by the movement of glaciers

• The mountains are probably located near the edge of 2 tectonic plates.

• The mountains are probably formed by running water.

Is there a pattern to the locations of earthquakes and volcanoes around the globe?

• No, earthquakes and volcanoes are random.

• Yes, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur near the boundaries of tectonic plates.

• yes, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur in the middle of tectonic plates.

• No, earthquakes and volcanoes usually occur under water.

Most earthquakes tend to occur at which location?

• The central regions of very large continents

• Groups of islands farthest from any continents

• The boundaries between continents and oceans

• The steep slopes of the very oldest mountains

A map is provided that shows the location of the Aleutian Islands in comparison to some of Earth’s tectonic plates is provided. Based on the information provided, which of the following is most likely a feature of the Aleutian Islands?

• The climate is getting older.

• They were formed by volcanic activity.

• These islands are the oldest on Earth.

  Earthquakes do not occur there

The Ring of Fire is an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. What claim can be made about the Ring of Fire from this information?

• It is the only place on Earth where earthquakes can happen.

• The edges of the tectonic plates are moving in this area.

• It represents the areas where tectonic plates are the thickest.

• It has been getting larger since Earth first formed.

Peru and Chile are part of South America, which sits on the South American tectonic plate. The Nazca plate is moving toward the South American plate. It is pushed downward, which causes it to slide under the South American plate. Based on this information, what feature could we expect to see off the coast of Peru and Chile?

• new Continent formation

• Poor fishing conditions

• Deep ocean trench

• Severe tropical storms

A force caused the continents to drift apart over time. Once scientists figured out what that force was, the theory of plate tectonics was born! The image above shows what Geologists think the Earth looked like millions of years ago. What name was given to this land mass.

• Plate Tectonics

• Oceana

• Pangea

• North America

Tectonic plates float on top of the ________

• Crust

• Mantle

• Inner Core

• Outer Core

Huge pieces of lithosphere that slowly move on the asthenosphere and consist of the crust and the rigid, uppermost part of the mantle

• tectonic plates

• North American Plate

• Eurasian Plate

• African Plate

A tectonic plate division of the lithosphere that includes the continental crust of Greenland, North America, Siberia, and the surrounding oceanic crust.

• tectonic plates

• African Plate

• North American Plate

• South American Plate