Magnetic Field Reversals Quiz

Base your answer to the following question on the map of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge shown below. Points A through D are locations on the ocean floor. Line XY connects locations in North America and Africa. In which cross section do the arrows best show the convection occurring within the asthenosphere beneath line XY?

• 
• 
• 
• 

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Based on the theory of plate tectonics, it is inferred that over the past 250 million years North America has moved toward the

• northwest

• southwest

• southeast

• northeast

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The large coal fields found in Pennsylvania provide evidence that the climate of the northeastern United States was much warmer during the Carboniferous Period. This change in climate over time is best explained by the

• movements of tectonic plates

• effects of seasons

• changes in the environment caused by humans

• evolution of life

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

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

Living corals are found in warm, shallow seas. Coral fossils have been found in the sedimentary rocks of Alaska. These findings suggest that

• Alaska once had a tropical marine environment

• Alaska's cold climate fossilized the coral

• coral usually develops in cold climates

• ocean currents carried the coral to Alaska

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which statement best supports the theory that all the continents were once a single landmass?

• Rocks of the ocean ridges are older than those of the adjacent sea floor.

• Rock and fossil correlation can be made where the continents appear to fit together.

• Marine fossils can be found at high elevations above sea level on all continents.

• Great thicknesses of shallow-water sediments are found at interior locations on some continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Base your answer to the following question on the information and diagram below. At intervals in the past, the Earth's magnetic field has reversed. The present North magnetic pole was once the South magnetic pole, and the present South magnetic pole was once the North magnetic pole. A record of these changes is preserved in the igneous rocks that formed at mid-ocean ridges and moved away from the ridges. The diagram below represents the pattern of normal and reversed magnetic polarity in the igneous rocks composing the ocean crust on the east side of a mid-ocean ridge. The igneous material along this mid-ocean ridge was found to be younger than the igneous material farther from the ridge. This fact supports the theory of

• crustal subsidence

• seafloor spreading

• superposition

• dynamic equilibrium

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which evidence causes most scientists to believe that seafloor spreading occurs at the mid-Atlantic Ridge?

• Oceanic crust is oldest at the ridge.

• Large sedimentary folds exist in the mantle near the ridge.

• Oceanic crust on both sides of the ridge is less dense than continental crust.

• Oceanic crust on both sides of the ridge shows matching patterns of reversed and normal magnetic polarity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The diagram below shows the magnetic polarity preserved by minerals within the bedrock of the oceanic crust near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Letters A, B, C, and D represent locations in the ocean-floor bedrock. The most recently formed bedrock is found at location.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Base your answer to the following question on the block diagram and on your knowledge of Earth science. Describe the general relationship between the distance from the ridge center and the age of the seafloor bedrock.

• As distance from the ridge center increases, the age of the seafloor remains the same.

• As distance from the ridge center increases, the age of the seafloor decreases.

• As distance from the ridge center increases, the age of the seafloor increases.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3