Plate Tectonics

What is the lithosphere?

• The center layer of Earth

• The outermost layer of Earth consisting of the crust and upper mantle

• The molten rock layer between the crust and core

• The layer of Earth where tectonic plates are found

What is the definition of 'molten'?

• Solidified

• Melted; liquefied

• Crystallized

• Vaporized

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Fill in the blank: The broken pieces of the lithosphere that move on the asthenosphere are called _________.

• tectonic plates

• continental shelves

• oceanic ridges

• mantle plumes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Which of the following is NOT a major tectonic plate?

• African Plate

• Antarctic Plate

• Pacific Plate

• Arctic Plate

How did they discover that the tectonic plates had moved? Was that movement related to Earth structures such as mountains, valleys, or volcanoes?

• Through the study of fossil distribution and matching geological features across continents.

• By observing the daily movement of tectonic plates using satellites.

• Through the analysis of ocean currents and their impact on climate.

• By measuring the temperature changes in the Earth's core.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Look at the world map and notice the shapes of the continents. Do you see how some continents appear to fit together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle? Why do you think this is? Is it just a coincidence, or do you think it suggests something important about the history of our planet?

• It is just a coincidence.

• It suggests that continents were once connected.

• It is due to the current shape of the Earth.

• It is because of the way maps are drawn.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What does this suggest about the continents?

• They are fixed and unchanging.

• They have moved over time.

• They are all the same size.

• They are all connected underwater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Fill in the blank: Fossils of a land reptile called _______ were found along matching coasts of eastern Africa, central India, and Antarctica.

• Lystrosaurus.

• Tyrannosaurus.

• Stegosaurus.

• Triceratops.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What reasoning did Wegener use to explain the presence of similar fossils on different continents?

• Continents were once connected and have drifted apart.

• Similar species evolved independently on different continents.

• Fossils were transported by ancient humans across continents.

• Ocean currents carried fossils across continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the name given to the process of continents moving over time?

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3