What Is Plate Tectonics and Tectonic Plates?

Scientists think the continents once formed a large, single landmass that broke apart, and the continents slowly drifted to their present locations. What is the name given to this claim?

• continental slope

• continental shelf

• continental drift

• continental rise

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Florida is not close the edge of a tectonic plate. Therefore, which one of the following features does not exist in or beneath Florida?

• tectonic plate boundary

• tectonic plate

• mantle

• crust

The Red Sea formed as the African Plate moved apart from the Arabian Plate. Which type of boundary was involved in the formation of the Red Sea?

• convergent boundary

• stationary boundary

• divergent boundary

• transform boundary

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The Rocky Mountains formed when the Pacific plate collided with the North American plate. Which of the following terms describes this process?

• convergent boundary

• transform boundary

• divergent boundary

• ridge push

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The asthenosphere is the part of the mantle on which the tectonic plates move. Which of these statements best describes a characteristic of the asthenosphere that allows the tectonic plates to move?

• It is porous.

• It is permeable.

• It is rigid.

• It is soft.

A plate boundary is a place where two tectonic plates meet. There are several types of tectonic plate boundaries. Which statement below shows the correct definition of a tectonic plate boundary?

• At a divergent boundary, one plate sinks under another plate.

• At a convergent boundary, plates slide past each other.

• At a transform boundary, plates move apart.

• At a divergent boundary, plates separate.

Convection currents in the mantle contribute to tectonic plate movement. What is a convection current?

• the transfer of energy by direct contact

• the transfer of energy by the movement of matter

• the transfer of energy through a solid, such as the Earth’s crust

• the transfer of energy from a region of lower temperature to a region of higher temperature

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Volcanoes often form at convergent plate boundaries. Which set of arrows represents a convergent plate boundary?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Earthquakes often form at transform plate boundaries. Which set of arrows represents a transform plate boundary?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Mid-ocean ridges often form at divergent plate boundaries. Which set of arrows represents a divergent plate boundary?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3