Boundaries STAAR Bootcamp W8

Two oceanic plates are shown in the image. 

Which type of boundary results in the spreading of the oceanic ridge?

• Convergent boundary

• Subduction boundary

• Transform boundary

• Divergent boundary

Answer explanation

The spreading of the oceanic ridge is a result of a divergent boundary where two plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new crust.

This picture shows scratches in bedrock that were caused by a moving glacier. These scratches are called glacial striations.

Glacial striations in the bedrock of South Africa indicate that glaciers once moved across the African continent. The presence of glaciers on the surface of Africa is evidence that — 

• the tectonic plate under Africa was closer to the South Pole at one time

• the equator was not always where it is currently located

• volcanoes did not exist until after faults occurred in Earth's crust

• the location of the North Pole and the South Pole changed

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that the tectonic plate under Africa was closer to the South Pole at one time, as indicated by the presence of glacial striations in South Africa's bedrock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

The diagram below shows a model of the movement of two tectonic plates. When the plates collide, one plate often moves below the other plate.
The rising magma that can result from this type of plate movement may produce —

• fossil layers

• volcanic islands

• deep-sea sediment

• seafloor spreading

Answer explanation

When tectonic plates collide, rising magma can lead to the formation of volcanic islands.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Rift valleys can form when fractures in Earth’s crust widen. The valley walls slowly move at a rate of only a few millimeters a year. Which of these best describes the type of tectonic activity that forms rift valleys?

• Rift valleys form where a continental plate moves under an oceanic plate.

• Rift valleys form where a plate slides horizontally past another plate.

• Rift valleys form where two plates move away from each other.

• Rift valleys form where an oceanic plate moves under another oceanic plate.

Answer explanation

Rift valleys form where two plates move away from each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A teacher asks students to make a model of a transform plate boundary. The students use blocks to represent tectonic plates and slide the blocks past each other in the directions of the arrows as shown.

Which event can the students best demonstrate with their model?

• An earthquake

• A volcanic eruption

• Formation of a rift valley

• Building up of a mountain

Answer explanation

The students can best demonstrate an earthquake with their model as transform plate boundaries are known for causing earthquakes due to the sliding of tectonic plates past each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A mid-ocean ridge is located at the boundary of two tectonic plates. Which diagram correctly models the relative plate motion on each side of a mid-ocean ridge?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The map below shows the locations of four active volcanoes in the Caribbean Sea.
What do these volcanoes indicate about plate tectonics in the region?

• The volcanoes form an island arc, indicating a converging plate boundary.

• The volcanoes form a line, indicating a diverging plate boundary.

• Two plates are moving past each other, causing faulting and magma formation.

• Two plates are moving apart, creating new seafloor.

Answer explanation

The volcanoes form an island arc, indicating a converging plate boundary.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The thick black lines on the map below show the locations of mid-ocean ridges.
Which geologic feature is most likely to form at a mid-ocean ridge?

• Peninsula

• Volcano

• Delta

• Plateau

Answer explanation

A volcano is most likely to form at a mid-ocean ridge due to the volcanic activity associated with the movement of tectonic plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

How do fossil records support the theory of plate tectonics?

• Similar fossils are found on the same continent at different time periods.

• Similar fossils are found on various modern continents.

• Different fossils are found on the same continent during the same time period.

• Fossils found along coastal regions of modern continents are unique.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The diagram shows different types of tectonic plate boundaries.

Which table accurately shows the surface features associated with each tectonic plate boundary?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3