Continental Drift Practice (pages 13-16 in the note packet)

The theory of continental drift does not explain the

• matching of rock features on continents thousands of kilometers apart

• melting of glacial ice at the close of the Pleistocene Epoch

• apparent fitting together of many continental boundaries

• fossils of tropical plants in Antarctica

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Which statement best supports the theory of continental drift?

• A) Basaltic rock is found to be progressively younger at increasing distances from a mid-ocean ridge.

• B) Marine fossils are often found in deep-well drill cores.

• C) The present continents appear to fit together as pieces of a larger landmass.

• D) Areas of shallow-water seas tend to accumulate sediment, which gradually sinks.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

On what other landmass would you most likely find fossil remains of the late Paleozoic reptile called Mesosaurus shown below?

• North America

• Africa

• Antarctica

• Eurasia

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The map below shows the present-day locations of South America and Africa. Remains of Mesosaurus, an extinct freshwater reptile, have been found in similarly aged bedrock formed from lake sediments at locations X and Y. Which statement represents the most logical conclusion to draw from this evidence?

• Mesosaurus migrated across the ocean from location X to location Y.

• Mesosaurus came into existence on several widely separated continents at different times.

• The continents of South America and Africa were joined when Mesosaurus lived.

• The present climates at locations X and Y are similar.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

For the last 200 million years, continents on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean have generally

• A) been drifting closer together

• B) been drifting farther apart

• C) remained the same distance apart

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

According to plate tectonic theory, during which geologic time interval did the continents of North America and Africa separate, resulting in the initial opening of the Atlantic Ocean? (HINT: use the "Events" column p.9 ESRTs as well as the "Era" column on p.8 ESRTs)

• Mesozoic Era

• Paleozoic Era

• Proterozoic Eon

• Archean Eon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Approximately when did these events occur?

• 65 million years ago

• 200 million years ago

• 299 million years ago

• 400 million years ago

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Base your answer to the following question on the map below, which shows crustal plate boundaries located along the Pacific coastline of the United States. The arrows show the general directions in which some of the plates appear to be moving slowly. The best way to find the direction of crustal movement along the San Andreas fault is to

• study the Earth's present magnetic field

• observe erosion along the continental coastline

• measure gravitational strength on opposite sides of the fault

• match displaced rock types from opposite sides of the fault

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What is the direction of crustal movement of the Australian plate? (HINT: look at the ESRTs Tectonic Plate Boundaries Map (p.5) and look at ONLY the arrows INSIDE the Indian-Australian Plate and see generally which way THEY point)

• northward

• southward

• northwestward

• southeastward

During which geologic time unit were the continents of North America, South America and Africa closest together? (HINT: Use pps. 8-9 ESRTs)

• Paleogene

• Cretaceous

• Permian

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3