Exploring Earth's Structure and Tectonics

Match each layer of the Earth with its correct characteristics.

• Crust

• Thinnest layer, includes oceanic and continental types

• Inner Core

• Liquid iron and nickel, responsible for Earth's magnetic field

• Mantle

• Semi-solid rock, convection currents occur here

• Outer Core

• Solid iron and nickel, densest layer

Explain why convection currents in the mantle are important for plate tectonics.

• They cause the Earth's magnetic field.

• They drive the movement of tectonic plates.

• They create the Earth's atmosphere.

• They are responsible for the Earth's rotation.

Fill in the blanks: Constructive plate boundaries are also known as ________. At these boundaries, two plates move ________ each other.

• Divergent, towards

• Convergent, away from

• Divergent, away from

• Convergent, towards

Fill in the blanks: Destructive plate boundaries involve ________ of the oceanic plate beneath the continental plate.

• Subduction

• Collision

• Separation

• Sliding

Are constructive plate boundaries likely to cause earthquakes, volcanoes, or both?

• Earthquakes only

• Volcanoes only

• Both earthquakes and volcanoes

• Neither earthquakes nor volcanoes

Are destructive plate boundaries likely to cause earthquakes, volcanoes, or both?

• Earthquakes only

• Volcanoes only

• Both earthquakes and volcanoes

• Neither earthquakes nor volcanoes

Are conservative plate boundaries likely to cause earthquakes, volcanoes, or both?

• Earthquakes only

• Volcanoes only

• Both earthquakes and volcanoes

• Neither earthquakes nor volcanoes

Name one example of a constructive plate boundary.

• San Andreas Fault

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• Himalayas

• Andes Mountains

Name one example of a destructive plate boundary.

• San Andreas Fault

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• Himalayas

• Andes Mountains

Name one example of a conservative plate boundary.

• San Andreas Fault

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• Himalayas

• Andes Mountains