Plate Tectonics Test

1. What was the name of the ancient supercontinent that included all the Earth's landmasses?

• Pangea

• Gondwana

• Laurasia

• Panthalassa

Answer explanation

The ancient supercontinent that included all of Earth's landmasses is called Pangea.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

What layer of the Earth is made up of tectonic plates?

• core

• mesosphere

• asthenosphere

• lithosphere

Answer explanation

The lithosphere is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath.

What is the name of the process where new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and moves older crust away from the ridge?

• convection

• sea-floor spreading

• asthenosphere

• lithosphere

Answer explanation

The process where new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and pushes older crust away is called sea-floor spreading. This occurs as magma rises to create new crust, demonstrating the dynamic nature of Earth's lithosphere.

How do scientists determine all the different layers inside of the Earth?

• By drilling deep into the Earth and collecting samples

• Through the use of satellite imagery and mapping

• By observing the Earth's surface temperature variations

• Recording seismic waves and studying how they travel through Earth

Answer explanation

Scientists determine Earth's layers by recording seismic waves. These waves change speed and direction as they pass through different materials, providing insights into the composition and structure of the Earth's interior.

Which of the following was NOT used as evidence to support the theory of continental drift?

• The existence of land bridges

• Geological formations across continents

• Fossil evidence of similar species

• Matching of glacial grooves on different continents

Answer explanation

The existence of land bridges was not used as evidence for continental drift.

Newer oceanic crust is found . . .

• at ocean trenches

• near continental shelves

• on continental crust

• closer to the mid-ocean ridge

Answer explanation

Newer oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates diverge. As magma rises and solidifies, it creates new crust, making it closer to the ridge compared to older crust found further away.

The San Andreas fault is an example of a . . .

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

• convergent boundary

Answer explanation

The San Andreas fault is a transform boundary, where two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This movement causes earthquakes.

When two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, the boundary between them is called ___________________

• convergent boundary

• transform boundary

• divergent boundary

Answer explanation

When two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally, they create a transform boundary. This type of boundary is characterized by lateral movement (side by side), unlike convergent or divergent boundaries which involve vertical movement.

The type of plate boundary involving a collision between two tectonic plates is _______________.

• divergent boundary

• normal boundary

• transform boundary

• convergent boundary

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'convergent boundary' because it describes the type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates collide, leading to mountains or earthquakes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Continental mountain ranges are usually associated with ________________.

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

• convergent bounary

• normal boundary

Answer explanation

Continental mountain ranges are typically formed at convergent boundaries where tectonic plates collide, causing the land to uplift and create mountains. This is why the correct answer is 'convergent boundary'.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1