Tectonic Plates

Islands are often formed at the boundaries of tectonic plates. These plates are large portions of lithosphere that move slowly over the more fluid, underlying material in the region below the crust.

What is the term for the region indicated by an X in the diagram?

• asthenosphere

• hydrosphere

• inner core

• outer core

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A student records observations about two different layers of the Earth as shown in the table.

What do Layers 1 and 2 represent?

• Layer 1: asthenosphere; Layer 2: continental crust

• Layer 1: continental crust; Layer 2: lithosphere

• Layer 1: asthenosphere; Layer 2: lithosphere

• Layer 1: lithosphere; Layer 2: asthenosphere

How are the lithosphere and the asthenosphere similar?

• They are both part of the crust.

• They are both part of the mantle.

• They both have the same thicknesses.

• They both have the same physical properties.

Assume that the diagram below shows a cross section of part of the lithosphere.

Which diagram correctly shows what will happen to the lithosphere when pushed by tectonic forces?

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Use the information to answer the question.

Which statements are true?

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How do rock samples collected from the sea floor provide evidence of tectonic plate movement?

• Older rocks are found near the deep-ocean trenches.

• Older rocks are near the center of mid-ocean ridges.

• Younger rocks are near the deep-ocean trenches.

• Younger rocks are mixed with older rocks at mid-ocean ridges.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which statement describes the differences between continental and oceanic crust?

• Continental crust is thin with low density, while oceanic crust is thick with high density.

• Continental crust is thick with low density, while oceanic crust is thin with high density.

• Continental crust is thick with high density, while oceanic crust is thin with low density.

• Continental crust is thin with high density, while oceanic crust is thick with low density.

In 1912, Alfred Wegener proposed the theory of continental drift, stating that all the continents were once joined together and slowly moved apart. However, his theory was not widely accepted in his time. In 1962, the discovery of sea floor spreading (sea floor being forced apart by the formation of new crust) eventually led to a more modern and widely accepted theory of plate tectonics.

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

• The theory of plate tectonics was a less complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.

• The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it failed to provide reasons and mechanisms for why the plates and continents moved.

• The theory of plate tectonics was a less complete theory because it failed to provide complete reasons and mechanisms for why the plates and continents moved.

• The theory of plate tectonics was a more complete theory because it provided a reason and mechanism for why the plates and continents moved.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Ancient fossils have been placed on the map indicating where they were found.

The strongest evidence exists for which two continents to have been connected when Pangaea was present?

• South America and Africa

• North America and Africa

• Africa and Australia

• South America and Australia

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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.