Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis Review

One of the pieces of evidence that Wegener was missing to explain his theory was the driving force for moving tectonic plates across Earth. The diagram below represents the structure of Earth and the geothermal gradient (the rate of change in temperature with respect to increasing depth in Earth's interior). The model is a block diagram of a portion of Earth. Arrows represent motion of tectonic plates.

Which statement, based on evidence presented in the diagram, model, and graph most accurately identifies our current understanding of the driving force for the theory of plate tectonics?

• The highest amounts of heat from Earth's core is cycled by thermal convection in the mantle, causing lithospheric plates to diverge at mid-ocean ridges.

• Higher amounts of heat in the mantle than in the outer core transfer heat absorbed by the crust, causing plates to converge and form volcanic mountain chains on continents.

• Higher amounts of heat in the inner core than in the outer core transfer heat to the mantle, causing plates to diverge at ocean trenches.

• The highest amounts of heat at Earth's surface is cycled by thermal convection in the lithosphere, causing plates to diverge at hot spots.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Based on the evidence from the map, which statement identifies the pattern of the ages of crustal rock in North America?

• The oldest rocks are found in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains.

• Rocks of the same age are found along the entire coastline of North America.

• The oldest rocks in North America are found along the Gulf of Mexico, and the youngest rocks are found along the Hudson Bay.

• The central region of the continent contains the oldest rocks, while the youngest rocks are found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The cross section represents one theory of the movement of rock materials in Earth's dynamic interior. Some mantle plumes that are slowly rising from the boundary between Earth's outer core and stiffer mantle are indicated.

Hot Spots and Mantle Plumes

Research of mantle hot spots indicates that mantle plumes form in a variety of sizes and shapes. These mantle plumes range in diameter from several hundred kilometers to 1000 kilometers. Some plumes rise as blobs rather than in a continuous streak; however, most plumes are long, slender columns of hot rock slowly rising in Earth's stiffer mantle. One theory is that most plumes form at the boundary between the outer core and the stiffer mantle. They may reach Earth's surface in the center of plates or at plate boundaries, producing volcanoes or large domes.

Compared to the surrounding material, mantle plumes rise toward Earth's surface from the core-mantle boundary because they are

• cooler and less dense

• hotter and more dense

• hotter and less dense

• cooler and more dense

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Which layer of Earth's interior is inferred to be composed of solid iron and nickel?

• outer core

• asthenosphere

• inner core

• stiffer mantle

The cross section shows the boundary between the Juan de Fuca Plate and the North American Plate. Compared to the crust of the North American Plate, the crust of the Juan de Fuca Plate is:

• thicker and more dense

• thinner and less dense

• thicker and less dense

• thinner and more dense

Which table below correctly shows the characteristics of seismic waves when they reach liquid material?

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The graph below shows the different velocities of P-waves and S-waves through Earth's interior.

Which cross section best shows the inferred thickness of Earth's interior layers that cause these different velocities?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which statement identifies the evidence for how the past and current movements of oceanic crust explain the ages of this oceanic floor rock?

• Oceanic crust at the mid-ocean ridge in block diagram A is now the oldest normal magnetic polarity rock found in block diagram C.

• The reverse magnetic polarity rock in block diagram B is the same age as the normal magnetic polarity rock in block diagram B.

• Oceanic crust at the mid-ocean ridge in block diagram A is now the youngest normal magnetic polarity rock found in block diagram C.

• The magnetic polarity rock closest to the mid-ocean ridge in block diagram A is younger than the reverse magnetic polarity rock closest to the mid-ocean ridge in block diagram B.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The diagram below represents the pattern of normal and reversed magnetic polarity and the relative age of the igneous bedrock composing the ocean floor on the east side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The magnetic polarity of the bedrock on the west side of the ridge has been deliberately left blank.

Which diagram best shows the magnetic pattern and relative age of the igneous bedrock on the west side of the ridge?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The cross section represents a section of Earth's lithosphere along the coast of Japan. The epicenter of a large magnitude earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 is indicated. Devastation occurred mainly in the low-lying coastal areas of Japan closest to the epicenter. Letter A represents a geologic feature.

What most likely caused the major devastation along the flat coastal areas of Japan as a result of this earthquake?

• landslides

• crustal downwarping

• a tsunami

• lava flows

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2