The Movement of Earth's Plates

Which of these does not provide evidence that the continents drifted to their present locations?

• current weather

• landform data

• deep-ocean trenches

• similar fossils on multiple continents

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which type of plate boundary movement is shown in the image, and what type of landform is most likely to occur here?

• plates moving away from each other; formation of a trench

• plates moving away from each other; formation of an island volcanic arc

• plates moving toward each other; formation of folded mountains

• plates moving toward each other; formation of a continental volcanic arc

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which processes are best explained by the theory of plate tectonics?

• life cycles of plants

• food chains and webs

• changes in air pressure

• earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which of these types of rock would most likely be the youngest?

• rock on an oceanic plate that is close to a mid-ocean ridge

• rock on an oceanic plate that is farthest from a mid-ocean ridge

• rock on a continental plate that is next to a deep ocean trench

• rock on a continental plate that is colliding with another continental plate

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which statement explains why tectonic plates move?

• Plates move because Earth’s interior is slowly cycling.

• Plates move because they are slowly expanding and growing larger.

• Plates move because landforms cause them to move in different directions.

• Plates move because of the weight of the oceans pressing on parts of Earth’s surface.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which description is evidence for the theory of plate tectonics but does not suggest that the continents were once connected?

• matching rock layers on separate continents

• similar land features on separated, present-day continents

• the interlocking of present-day coastlines, such as Africa and South America

• thin layer of sediment covering the ocean floor, indicating that it was relatively young

A science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in the rock

• roctology

• Earthology

• Geology

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Rock formed from consolidated clay sediments

• igneous rock

• Sedimentary rock

• Metamorphic rock

The remains of a plant or animal that existed in a past geological age and that has been excavated from the soil

• rock

• Mineral

• Fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The property of being rigid and resistant to pressure; not easily scratched; measured on the Mohs scale

• hardness test

• shiny test

• floating test