Plate Tectonics

Two hundred and twenty-five million years ago, all of today's continents were part of a single continent known as Pangaea. The map below shows the positions of some of these continents. There is a significant amount of evidence that can be used to support the theory that Pangaea existed. Which of the following explains how the map shows evidence for the existence of Pangaea?

• The continents' shapes do not fit together very well, but some continents have the

  same fossils.

• The continents' shapes do not fit together very well, and each continent has completely

  different fossils.

• The continents' shapes fit together well, and some continents have the same fossils.

• The continents' shapes fit together well, but each continent has completely different

  fossils.

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Fracture zones are cracks on the ocean floor that horizontally offset mid-ocean ridges. Fracture zones typically run perpendicular to mid-ocean ridges. The diagram below shows two tectonic plates moving apart. One plate is dark blue, and the other is light blue. Several fracture zones are shown at places where parts of the same tectonic plate are moving in the same direction but at different speeds. The study of the location of fracture zones has provided evidence to support the theory of plate tectonics because

• fracture zones indicate that tectonic plates are always stationary.

• fracture zones indicate the locations of once-active underwater faults.

• fracture zones prevent subduction at ocean trenches.

• 

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Which of the following describes how and where a trench forms in a plate tectonic setting?

• A trench results from subduction and forms on the ocean floor where the two plates

  meet.

• A trench results from rifting and forms outside the rift on whichever plate is higher in

  elevation.

• A trench results from subduction and forms in the volcanic arc on the overriding plate.

• A trench results from rifting and forms outside the rift on whichever plate is lower in

  elevation.

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The diagram below shows a volcanic chain.

Volcanoes form where a denser oceanic plate moves below a continental plate. Which of the following happens in the region labeled X during this process?

• Magma rises into the continental crust, producing volcanoes.

• Solid rock liquefies, producing new oceans.

• The oceanic crust crystallizes, forming new rock.

• Tectonic plates diverge, forming magma.

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Very similar fossils have been found in rock masses that are separated by oceans and thousands of miles. For example, the fossil remains of the same freshwater reptile species have been found in southern Africa and southern South America. How can these fossils exist so far away from each other?

• Identical reptile species evolved separately on the two different land masses.

• At some point, the land masses were connected to each other.

• This species of reptile swam thousands of miles in search of a new habitat.

• The land was once completely covered in fresh water.

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The diagram below shows an area with a trench.

Which of the following best explains what is happening to the oceanic crust as it is pushed below the continental crust?

• The oceanic crust melts as it gets pushed below the continental crust.

• The oceanic crust erodes when it collides with the continental crust.

• The oceanic crust crystallizes when it dives below the continental crust.

• The oceanic crust joins with the continental crust.

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The eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa are separated by the Atlantic Ocean. If scientists find the same types of plant fossils on the eastern coast of South America and the western coast of Africa, which of these would be the best conclusion?

• At one time, the two continents were one landmass.

• The oceans were formed after dinosaurs went extinct.

• Dinosaurs once lived in both of these regions.

• The climate in each continent has changed.

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The symbols found on the map below indicate where fossils have been found in the same layer of sediment. Each unique symbol represents fossil locations of a particular species.

What do the locations of the fossils suggest?

• Similar fossil types are never found on different continents.

• The continents' locations have remained constant throughout time.

• Each continent has completely unique plant and animal life.

• The continents were once connected to each other.

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Which of the following provides the most evidence for the theory of plate tectonics?

• the locations of the glaciers

• the spreading of the sea floor

• the coloring of the city moths

• the changing of the seasons

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The scientific theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth's crust is composed of many plates, or slabs of rock. Interactions of these plates have created different landforms, or geologic features. Which of the following statements provides evidence for this theory?

• An iceberg buckles the hull of the Titanic and allows water to enter between the steel

  plates.

• Fossilized marine creatures can be found at the top of the Himalayan Mountains.

• The city of Pompeii is perfectly preserved under volcanic ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

• A large earthquake off the coast of Japan induces a wave that is over twenty feet high.

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