Earths plate boundaries

Which conclusion is best supported by the discovery of the same fossils on separate continents?

• Ancient organisms were able to swim much farther than modern organisms.

• The same organisms existed more than once in the history of Earth.

• Modern land masses were once connected but moved apart.

• The same environmental conditions once existed all over Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of these was used by Alfred Wegener as evidence that Earth’s continental landmasses had drifted apart over time?

• the composition of the continents

• the thickness of the continents

• the shape of the continents

• the age of the continents

Some scientists theorize plate motion could alter the level of water in Earth’s seas. How would the nature of plate motion limit the possible changes to sea level?

• by making only small changes

• by changing only a few specific ocean basins

• by causing changes to occur at very slow rates

• by causing paired changes with equal and opposite effects

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Look at the diagram of a cross section of Earth.

How does this diagram help to confirm Alfred Wegener’s hypothesis of continental drift?

• It shows that Earth’s mantle has several concentric layers.

• It demonstrates that Earth’s crust is the thinnest of Earth’s layers.

• It illustrates how crustal plates float on convection currents in Earth’s mantle.

• It models how Earth’s core is subdivided into an inner core and an outer core.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

South America and Africa are two continents separated by a large ocean. Scientists have found 200-million-year-old Mesosaurus fossils on both continents. What is the most likely explanation for how these fossils came to be found on both continents?

• The continents were both created through volcanic activity.

• The fossils were brought to South America by explorers.

• The animals crossed a land bridge that once connected the continents.

• The continents were once attached to each other and then drifted apart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The breakup of Pangea had which effect on the subsequent history of animal speciation?

• Animals had to become adapted to distinct climates.

• Animal diversity declined due to loss of available territory.

• Separated animal populations evolved independently.

• A single animal kingdom separated into multiple, distinct phyla.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Two tectonic plates are each moving at a rate of 10 millimeters per year in opposite directions away from a mid-ocean ridge.  How long will it take for the ridge to become 100 millimeters broader?

• 1 year

• 5 years

• 10 Years

• 100 Years

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

There is evidence the continent of Antarctica once had a tropical climate. However, Antarctica moved southward to its current location over the South Pole of Earth after the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea. This movement caused which ecological changes in Antarctica?

• organism adaptations to colder and more arid climates

• organism adaptations to a low-oxygen, high-moisture atmosphere

• extension of producer roots to anchor against earthquakes

• extension of producer roots to absorb nutrients from cooling magma

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which model best shows how heat from inside of Earth reaches the surface of Earth?

• 
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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

When scientists proposed the theory of continental drift, there were many skeptics. Which discovery confirmed that the continents move on plates?

• deep-sea currents

• earthquake formation

• spreading of the sea floor

• sedimentary rocks

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3