ES SOL Review 37 - Tectonic Plate Boundaries

Which type of plate boundary occurs where plates are sliding past each other?

• Transform Boundary

• Convergent Boundary

• Subduction Boundary

• Divergent Boundary

Answer explanation

A transform boundary occurs where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement can cause earthquakes, making it distinct from convergent, subduction, and divergent boundaries.

Which type of plate boundary results in plates spreading apart?

• Subduction Boundary

• Transform Boundary

• Divergent Boundary

• Convergent Boundary

Answer explanation

A divergent boundary occurs when tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and create new crust. This process is responsible for the formation of mid-ocean ridges and is the correct answer to the question.

What is formed when two oceanic plates diverge?

• Trench

• Island Chain

• Mountain Range

• New Oceanic Crust

Answer explanation

When two oceanic plates diverge, magma rises to fill the gap, creating new oceanic crust. This process occurs at mid-ocean ridges, leading to the formation of new seafloor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

When two continental plates collide, (a)   occurs.

• mountain range formation
• rift valley formation
• trench formation

Answer explanation

When two continental plates collide, they push against each other, causing the Earth's crust to buckle and fold, leading to the formation of mountain ranges. This process is known as orogeny.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What feature is most likely to form at a convergent boundary between two oceanic plates?

• Rift Valley

• Volcanic Island Arc

• Mountain Range

• Transform Fault

Answer explanation

At a convergent boundary between two oceanic plates, one plate subducts beneath the other, leading to the formation of a volcanic island arc. This occurs due to the melting of the subducted plate, resulting in volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What geologic feature/event would you be most likely to find at a transform boundary?

• Earthquakes

• Volcanoes

• Mountains

• Rift Valleys

Answer explanation

At a transform boundary, tectonic plates slide past each other, causing friction and stress that often results in earthquakes. Unlike convergent or divergent boundaries, transform boundaries are not typically associated with volcanoes, mountains, or rift valleys.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Match the following geologic features/events with their corresponding locations at a divergent boundary between two pieces of oceanic crust.

• Feature found at divergent oceanic boundaries

• Rift Valley

• Feature found in areas with minimal tectonic activity

• Mid-Ocean Ridge

• Feature found at convergent oceanic boundaries

• Island Arc

• Feature found in continental rift zones

• Flat Land

Answer explanation

At a divergent boundary between two pieces of oceanic crust, tectonic plates move apart, creating new oceanic crust. This process forms a Mid-Ocean Ridge, characterized by underwater volcanic activity and rift valleys.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What geologic feature/event would you most likely find at a convergent boundary between two pieces of continental crust?

• Volcano

• Mountain

• Rift

• Island Arc

Answer explanation

At a convergent boundary between two continental plates, the collision causes the crust to buckle and fold, leading to the formation of mountains. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Mountain'.

A subduction zone is formed __.

• when one tectonic plate sinks below another

• at every type of divergent plate boundary

• at transform boundaries

Answer explanation

A subduction zone is formed when one tectonic plate sinks below another, typically at convergent boundaries. This process leads to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The Peru Trench and Andes Mountains are an example of (a)   plate boundary.

• Ocean-Continent Convergent
• Continent-Continent Convergent
• Ocean-Ocean Convergent

Answer explanation

The Peru Trench is formed where the Nazca Plate subducts beneath the South American Plate, creating an Ocean-Continent Convergent boundary. This process leads to the formation of the Andes Mountains.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3