Plate Tectonics

The map below shows the current location of South America and Africa. Points A and B represent areas on the two continents where scientists have discovered fossils of the same animal species which lived millions of years ago. How does the Theory of Plate Tectonics best explain the location of these fossils?

• The animals were able to swim from one continent to the other.

• The animals evolved independently on the two continents.

• Humans carried the animals from Point A to Point B.

• The continents were once joined together.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What process is most likely occurring at the location labeled B in the picture below?

• formation of new ocean floor

• mountain building

• subduction

• shearing

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The map below shows the tectonic plate boundary located just south of Alaska. Which type of fault are you most likely to find along this boundary?

• convergent fault

• divergent fault

• reverse fault

• normal fault

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The diagram below shows the process of seafloor spreading. What geologic feature is represented by ‘A’ on the diagram?

• deep-ocean trench

• mid-ocean ridge

• subduction zone

• island arc

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A student’s family moved from Florida to California. When they arrived, the student did some research and found that their new home was located right near a transform boundary. What kind of natural disaster is the student’s family most likely to experience because of the movement of the plates at this boundary?

• volcanic eruption

• rift valley

• earthquake

• tsunami

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

The map below shows many of the tectonic plate boundaries around the world. What type of tectonic plate boundary is found where the North American Plate meets the Eurasian Plate?

• convergent

• divergent

• normal

• transform

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What happens where a continental plate converges with another continental plate?

• Subduction occurs because one of the plates is much more dense than the other.

• A mountain range forms because they are the same density.

• Earthquakes occur as the two plates slide along each other.

• An ocean basin forms as they move away from each other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The map below shows the Pacific Ring of Fire. Each dot on the map shows the location of a volcano. Why are there so many volcanoes located around the Pacific Ring of Fire?

• Subduction is occurring along the Pacific Ring of Fire because it is a divergent boundary.

• Subduction is occurring along the Pacific Ring of Fire because it is a convergent boundary.

• Mountains are formed along the Pacific Ring of Fire because it is a divergent boundary.

• Mountains are formed along the Pacific Ring of Fire because it is a convergent boundary.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

At which of the following boundaries would you most likely find a normal fault?

• Option a

• Option b

• Option c

• Normal faults would not be found in any of these locations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The map below shows the motion of two tectonic plates that meet in the country of Iceland. What geologic feature would you find at the location labeled as ‘A’ on the map?

• mountain range

• mid-ocean ridge

• volcano

• rift valley

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3