Unit 2 Plate Tectonics Review

What is the difference between continental drift and plate tectonics?

• Plate tectonics explains why Earth's continents are moving; the theory of continental drift did not provide an explanation.

• Continental drift explains the movement of oceanic plates.

• Plate tectonics is a theory about the solar system.

• Continental drift is a theory about the atmosphere.

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Describe what drives plate tectonics.

• Convection in the mantle

• Wind currents

• Ocean tides

• Solar radiation

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What is Pangaea?

• A supercontinent that incorporated almost all the landmasses on Earth.

• A small island in the Pacific Ocean.

• A type of volcanic rock.

• A current oceanic plate.

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What evidence did Wegener find to support Continental Drift Theory?

• Biological and geological similarities between continents.

• Differences in ocean currents.

• Variations in atmospheric pressure.

• Changes in solar activity.

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What's the difference between continental and oceanic crust?

• Continental crust is thicker but less dense than oceanic crust.

• Oceanic crust is thicker and denser than continental crust.

• Both crusts have the same density and thickness.

• Continental crust is thinner and denser than oceanic crust.

Where would you find older rocks?

• Subduction zones

• Spreading centers

• Mid-ocean ridges

• Continental shelves

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What is a seismic wave?

• Waves that travel through or over Earth, usually generated by movements of the Earth's tectonic plates.

• Ocean waves caused by wind.

• Sound waves in the atmosphere.

• Light waves from the sun.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What are the two main types of seismic waves, and what's the difference between them?

• P-waves (body waves) and S-waves (surface waves); P-waves travel through Earth's inner layers, S-waves move along the surface.

• X-waves and Y-waves; X-waves are faster.

• A-waves and B-waves; A-waves are slower.

• C-waves and D-waves; C-waves are more powerful.

What is so important about the velocity of seismic waves?

• They determine the color of the earthquake.

• They help in predicting the weather.

• P-waves are faster than S-waves. The difference in their arrival time tells us the distance of the epicenter.

• They are used to measure the temperature of the earth.

What is a seismogram?

• A device to measure wind speed.

• A tool to predict rainfall.

• Seismographs are instruments used to record the motion of the ground during an earthquake.

• A machine to calculate the speed of cars.