Plate Tectonics

In some areas of the world, like California and Japan, earthquakes are a common occurrence. How can this best be explained?

• The strong ocean currents are undermining both areas causing earthquakes.

• Both areas are located near the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the unstable sand causes earthquakes.

• Both areas are subjected to strong ocean wind and waves that causes earthquakes.

• Both areas are on the boundary of active plates, the motion of the plates causes earthquakes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Subduction zones occur on Earth where dense oceanic crust dives under more buoyant continental crust. These boundaries are characterized by a deep ocean trench next to a high continental mountain range, large numbers of earthquakes and volcanoes. All of this is further evidence for the

• big bang theory.
• theory of plate tectonics.
• origin of the species.
• theory of natural selection.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Observe this diagram of a plate boundary. One statement BEST describes what is happening. It is that

• the oceanic crust is melting.

• the denser ceanic crust is subducting under the less dense oceanic crust

• volcanic islands are forming.

• the tectonic plates are moving away from each other.

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The map in the picture shows tectonic plate boundaries. This map would be useful in predicting the location of future

• droughts

• hurricanes

• earthquakes

• tornadoes

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

What geological forces might be responsible for this range of mountains?

• diverging tectonic plates
• erosion of the land by the ocean
• converging tectonic plates
• deposition of sediments by the ocean
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Earthquake epicenters (center of where the earthquakes started) were mapped for a 35 year period in the diagram above. The black dots indicate these epicenters. The black dots appear along what feature on Earth?

• hot spots

• plate boundaries

• rift zones

• sea floor spreading

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The Earth’s surface is not a solid surface but is divided into

• several oceanic plates.
• continental and crustal plates.
  
• seven continental plates.
• continental and oceanic plates.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The image shows the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region of high tectonic activity. What evidence supports the theory that the tectonic activity of the region is due to the subduction of tectonic plates?

• The region is bound by many oceanic trenches.
• North America seems to be colliding with Asia at the north of the ring.
• The Asia-Pacific region is dotted by many small and large islands
• The landmasses look like they would fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

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What is the source of energy that drives plate movement?

• the subducton of the sea floor

• the different densities of the oceanic and crustal plates

• convection currents in the asthenosphere

• the friction force between the plates that move past each other

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Where would sea floor spreading most likely occur?

• At convergent boundaries (oceanic vs. oceanic)

• At convergent boundaries (oceanic vs. continental)

• At divergent plate boundaries (oceanic vs. oceanic)

• At transform plate boundaries

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3