Plate Tectonics Quiz

Match the following terms to their definitions.

• volcanic island arc

• How large plates move across Earth's surface

• convection currents

• The likely result of one plate moving under another

• lithosphere

• The type of plate boundary where seafloor spread can create a mid-ocean ridge

• divergent

• Where the upper solid mantle meets the crust

• volcano formation

• Crustal feature formed where two oceanic plate boundaries meet

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Dave and Khan were working on a game about plate boundaries. They wanted some incorrect statements to include as wrong choices.

Which TWO statements about plate boundaries are incorrect?

• Conforming is when any two plates meet anywhere in the world.

• Transforming boundaries often result in earthquakes.

• Oceanic plates converging can form a volcanic arc of islands.

• Plates move only on dry land and never under water.

While working on their game, Khan reminded Dave there are several ways that plate boundaries converge. Dave suggested they make one of the questions specific to a continental boundary converging with another continental boundary.

Which TWO statements about converging continental/continental plates are true?

• All converging boundaries result in a subduction zone.

• Trenches often form where two continental plates converge.

• When two continental crusts converge, they collide and push against each other.

• As two continental plates push against each other, the pressure causes both plates to rise and create folded mountains.

Find the Nazca and the South American Plate. This is an example of two plates converging. The denser oceanic plate (Nazca) moves under the continental plate (South American Plate). What feature is likely found here?

• rift valleys

• volcanoes

• folded mountains

• ocean basins

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

The large plates move across the surface of the Earth by what process?

• convection

• radiation

• condensation

• conduction

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The Indian Plate (far right of plate picture) converges with the Eurasian Plate. When two continental plates converge what crustal feature is expected to form?

• rift valley

• volcanoes

• folded mountains

• ocean basin

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

This is a picture of sea-floor spreading. How are the ocean crusts moving?

• converging

• diverging

• sliding

• no movement

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The San Andreas Fault in California is known as an active earthquake area. What type of boundary is it?

• converging

• diverging

• transform

• sea floor spreading

When two oceanic plate boundaries meet, this crustal feature forms? (see photo)

• plate tectonics

• sea floor spreading

• folded mountains

• volcanic island arc

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

When an oceanic crust meets a continental crust, what occurs?

• The oceanic crust moves under the continental crust resulting in volcanoes.

• The oceanic crust moves over the continental crust resulting in volcanoes.

• The two crusts converge forming folded mountains such as the Himalayas.

• Both crusts are subducted down into the mantle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3