Plate Tectonics & Crustal Features

What feature would most likely form when you have a continental plate moving toward a continental plate?

• mid ocean ridge

• faults

• folded mountains

• rift valleys

Answer explanation

When two continental plates collide, they push against each other, causing the crust to fold and create folded mountains. This is a key feature of continental-continental convergence, unlike mid-ocean ridges or rift valleys.

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This image best demonstrates which plate boundary?

• Convergent Boundary

• Divergent Boundary

• Transform Boundary

• Subduction Boundary

Answer explanation

The image illustrates a divergent boundary, where tectonic plates move apart, creating new crust. This is characterized by features like mid-ocean ridges, which are typical in such boundaries.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What type of feature would form at this location?

• faults

• volcanic island arcs

• rift valleys

• mid-ocean ridges

Answer explanation

Faults form at locations where tectonic plates interact, often leading to fractures in the Earth's crust. This makes 'faults' the correct choice, as they are associated with the movement and stress along plate boundaries.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which image best represents a convergent boundary?

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

There are two types of crust, oceanic crust and continental crust. Which crust is most dense?

• Continental Crust

• Oceanic Crust

Answer explanation

Oceanic crust is more dense than continental crust due to its composition, which includes heavier basaltic rocks compared to the lighter granitic rocks of continental crust.

The diagram below shows a convergent boundary in the ocean. Here we have oceanic crust converging with oceanic crust. What type of geological features would we see at this location? Check all that apply.

• Ocean Trenches

• Volcanic Island Arcs

• Mid-Ocean Ridge

• Folded Mountains

• Rift Valleys

Answer explanation

At a convergent boundary with oceanic crust, we typically see ocean trenches formed by subduction and volcanic island arcs due to melting of the subducted plate. Mid-ocean ridges, folded mountains, and rift valleys are not features of this setting.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What does it mean for a crust to "subduct"?

• One plate will move over another plate.

• One plate will separate from another plate.

• One plate will slide past another plate.

• One plate will move underneath another plate.

Answer explanation

Subduction refers to the process where one tectonic plate moves underneath another plate. This is the correct choice, as it describes how plates interact at convergent boundaries, leading to geological phenomena like earthquakes and volcanic activity.

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Which set of arrows correctly represents a divergent boundary?

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Which of the following geological feature forms when continental crust moves away from continental crust?

• Volcanic Island Arcs

• Faults

• Rift Valleys

• Mid-Ocean Ridge

Answer explanation

Rift valleys form when continental crust moves away from continental crust, creating a depression. This process is characterized by tectonic activity that leads to the stretching and thinning of the crust.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The Great Rift Valley is located in Africa. At this location two plates are drifting apart. What type of crust are involved in creating a rift valley?

• Continental crust and Oceanic crust

• Continental crust and Continental crust

• Oceanic crust and Oceanic crust

Answer explanation

The Great Rift Valley forms where two continental plates drift apart, creating a rift. Thus, the correct answer is 'Continental crust and Continental crust', as both plates involved are continental.