Exploring Earth's Changes

What is the Earth's crust compared to?

• The outer layer of a cake

• The surface of a lake

• The shell of a nut

• The skin of an apple

How many main tectonic plates are there?

• 10

• 5

• 12

• 14

What happens to the ground when tectonic plates collide?

• The ground can uplift to form mountains, create subduction zones, or cause earthquakes.

• The ground instantly turns into liquid magma.

• Tectonic plates have no effect on the ground.

• The ground becomes completely flat and smooth.

What are the two types of crust?

• tectonic crust

• mantle crust

• continental crust, oceanic crust

• lithospheric crust

What causes the continents to move?

• Plate tectonics and mantle convection.

• Ocean currents and wind patterns.

• Gravitational pull from the moon.

• Seasonal weather changes.

What natural events are common along plate boundaries?

• Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.

• Floods, hurricanes, and droughts.

• Tornadoes, wildfires, and fog.

• Landslides, blizzards, and heatwaves.

How did the Earth look 200 million years ago?

• The Earth looked like a single supercontinent called Pangaea, surrounded by the ocean.

• The Earth was divided into several small continents.

• The Earth had a ring system like Saturn.

• The Earth was completely covered in ice.

What happens when tectonic plates pull apart?

• Tectonic plates move closer together and form mountains.

• Tectonic plates cause earthquakes without any crust formation.

• Tectonic plates create new crust and can cause volcanic activity.

• Tectonic plates sink into the mantle and disappear.

True or false: the continental crust is thicker than the ocean crust.

• TRUE

• FALSE

America is moving

• away from Europe

• closer to Europe

• around itself

• at a rate of 100 centimeters a year