EES Midterm Review

Which of the following BEST explains why Earth is tectonically active?

• Earth’s solid surface layer rotates more rapidly than the layers beneath it.

• Areas of Earth’s solid surface layer are under great pressure from ocean water.

• Earth’s solid surface layer sits on a layer of semi-molten rock that slowly flows.

• Areas of Earth’s solid surface layer are thicker and so heavier than other areas.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

Which of the following would MOST likely slow Earth’s tectonic activity?

• Earth’s crust becomes cooler.

• Earth’s mantle becomes warmer.

• Earth’s mantle becomes cooler.

• Earth’s outer core becomes warmer.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

Oceanic crust is composed mainly of basalt. Continental crust is composed mainly of granite. Why does oceanic crust generally tend to subduct under continental crust when plates collide?

• The oceanic crust is thicker than the continental crust.

• The continental crust is thicker than oceanic crust.

• The oceanic crust is denser than the continental crust.

• The continental crust is denser than the oceanic crust.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Which differences in properties of Earth’s crust and mantle are MOST responsible for tectonic activity?

• differences in state and density

• differences in color and viscosity

• differences in temperature and color

• differences in temperature and viscosity

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

The Mariana islands are volcanic islands that form an arc. The island arc is located in the North Pacific Ocean. These islands were formed by converging tectonic plates.

Which process had to occur in order for these islands to be formed?

• melting of oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridge

• melting of oceanic crust at subduction zones

• production and deposition of magma from hot spots

• production and deposition of magma from rift valleys

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of these actions will change a sedimentary rock, such as limestone, into a metamorphic rock, such as marble?

• pressure from a glacier

• heat from magma

• erosion from flowing water

• radiation from the Sun

A geologic cross section of the Himalayan Mountain Range is shown below.

This mountain range is the result of which type of boundary interaction?

• divergent boundary between two continental plates

• convergent boundary between two continental plates

• divergent boundary between a continental plate and an oceanic plate

• convergent boundary between a continental plate and an oceanic plate

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A geologist drew a diagram illustrating a section of a boundary between two tectonic plates. His diagram includes the geologic feature shown below.

What type of plate boundary created this feature?

• transform boundary between two continental plates

• divergent boundary between two continental plates

• transform boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate

• convergent boundary between an oceanic plate and a continental plate

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Use the picture to answer the question that follows.

Why did the mountain stream deposit so much eroded soil in the area marked X?

• The speed of the water increased there.

• The speed of the water decreased there.

• The water got colder there.

• The water got warmer there.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

In what way can forest fires affect the lithosphere? [Hint: RELATIVE TO UNIT 1]

• increasing soil erosion

• causing air pollution

• increasing seismic activity

• causing violent dust storms

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2